Japanese ruling coalition loses majority in election; USD/JPY reacts with volatility

USD/JPY is around 153.00, well up from late Friday levels circa 152.30 but down from a high circa 153.30 an hour or so ago.

The news, ICYMI, is that the ruling coalition (LDP/Komeito) lost their majority.

• Japan’s ruling coalition lost its majority in an election – yen lower to open the week

Earlier:

• USD/JPY is above 153 on the Japanese election result – yen plunge

• Monday morning open levels – indicative forex prices – 28 October 2024 – YEN slammed lower

Its likely they’ll bring a third party into the coalition and continue to govern but the yen has been hit due to a perception that policy normalisation may face political pressure to proceed more slowly. Cost-of-living pressures in Japan are an important political issue, perhaps #1 or close to (after ruling party funding scandals). Its thought a slowing of policy normalisation (rate hikes) may be a price extracted by a third party for agreement to support the LDP. I’ve heard the opposite argued, that other parties are in favour of BOJ rate hikes. We’ll see.

USD/JPY update:

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at www.forexlive.com.