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ForexMedium•25 February 2026•

1 min read

Japanese Yen Weakens as Takaichi Opposes Rate Hikes; USD/JPY Eyes 159.00

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Key Facts

1Takaichi's opposition to further rate hikes has put downward pressure on the Japanese Yen.

2The USD/JPY pair broke above a key technical trendline, opening the door for a rally toward the 159.00 handle.

The Japanese Yen extended its decline against major currencies following comments from politician Sanae Takaichi opposing further interest rate hikes. This political pushback has dampened market expectations for near-term monetary tightening by the Bank of Japan, weighing heavily on the Yen's valuation. From a technical perspective, the USD/JPY pair has broken above a key trendline, opening the door for a potential rally toward the 159.00 level. This specific price zone is historically significant, as it previously triggered government intervention to support the currency. Market participants are now shifting their focus to upcoming catalysts, including Tokyo’s CPI data and the US Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP) report. These data points will be critical in determining whether the current bearish momentum for the JPY persists or reverses in the near term.