USD/JPY Faces Pressure at 155.00 Amid Rising BoJ Rate Hike Bets

The USD/JPY pair hovered around the 155.00 resistance level as markets began weighing hawkish FOMC minutes against rising expectations of a Bank of Japan (BoJ) rate hike. While the FOMC minutes initially bolstered the US Dollar by reaffirming a restrictive policy stance, growing bets on a BoJ policy shift are now creating headwinds. This shift in sentiment is narrowing the policy divergence that has long supported the pair's upward trajectory. Investors are closely monitoring official signals from Tokyo for confirmation of a potential hike, which could cap further Greenback gains. Consequently, the 155.00 level remains a critical pivot point as traders navigate the evolving stances of both central banks.