Market update: Japanese yen 2024 forecast - brighter outlook & trading setups for USD/JPY, EUR/JPY, GBP/JPY

The Japanese yen has weakened significantly against its top peers in 2024, owing to the Bank of Japan's (BoJ) dovish stance. While major central banks globally have aggressively raised rates over the past two years to combat inflation, the BoJ has remained steadfast, maintaining highly accommodative policy settings.

However, the era of significantly relaxed monetary policy in Japan may be nearing an end, potentially as early as the early months of the second quarter. This shift could mark the beginning of a sustained upswing for the yen, suggesting the worst may be behind us.

Wage negotiations spark hope: a turning point for Japan's monetary policy

If annual compensation negotiations between major Japanese firms and unions, expected to conclude around mid-March, result in substantial pay increases above 4.0%, policymakers might gain the confidence needed in the sustainability of wage growth to finally move away from negative interest rates.

We will learn more about the BoJ's monetary policy outlook in the coming weeks, but the indicators seem to be aligning for a rate hike in late March or, more likely, April. As markets begin to anticipate this scenario, the yen may gradually start to rally.

USD/JPY technical analysis

USD/JPY climbed on Thursday, approaching resistance at 150.85. If gains pick up pace in the coming days and break above the 151.00 handle, buyers may get emboldened to initiate a bullish assault on last year’s high near 152.00.

On the flip side, if sellers return and drive the exchange rate lower, technical support appears around 149.70, followed by 148.90. Further losses from this point onward may usher in a pullback towards 147.50 in the near term.

USD/JPY daily chart

EUR/JPY technical analysis

EUR/JPY extended its advance on Thursday, steadily approaching last year’s peak around the 164.00 handle. Bears need to strongly defend this ceiling; failure to do so might lead to an upward push toward trendline resistance at 165.00.

In case of a bearish reversal, support is anticipated at 161.50 and 160.70 thereafter. On further weakness, all eyes will be on the 100-day simple moving average located near 159.60. Below this level, the 50-day simple moving average could act as the next shield against additional losses.

EUR/JPY daily chart

GBP/JPY technical analysis

GBP/JPY rallied on Thursday, hitting a fresh multi-year high above 190.50. With bullish momentum intact, additional upside potential is likely in the short term, with the next resistance threshold at 192.50, followed by 196.00, marking the highs of 2015.

Conversely, should the upward momentum wane, resulting in a market retracement, support is seen around the psychological 190.00 level, and subsequently at 188.50. Further down, bears are likely to set their sights on the 50-day simple moving average in the vicinity of 185.50.

GBP/JPY daily chart

^{This information has been prepared by DailyFX, the partner site of IG offering leading forex news and analysis. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients.}