Trading USD/JPY

As a result of relatively low bid-ask spreads and enticing liquidity, trading the USD/JPY is a popular major currency pair. Also, its characteristics make it a tempting proposition for both beginners and experienced traders. This page will break down the history of the currency pair, as well its benefits and drawbacks. How to start day trading the USD/JPY in 2024 will then be covered, from charts and signals to strategy and trading hours.

USD/JPY Trading Brokers

OANDA US - OANDA offers a diverse selection of 68 currency pairs, more than many alternatives. The broker’s in-house platform offers superb day trading capabilities via powerful TradingView charts, including 65+ technical indicators and 11 customizable chart types.
Vantage - Vantage offers 55+ currency pairs - above the industry average, so experienced traders can explore plenty of opportunities. Vantage's deep liquidity pool provides forex spreads from 0.0 pips in the ECN account, lower than many alternatives. There are also no commissions, deposit fees or hidden charges.
IC Markets - IC Markets maintains its commitment to providing exceptionally tight 0.0-pip forex spreads on major currency pairs such as EUR/USD. This makes it an excellent option if you are seeking superior execution, with an average of 35 milliseconds. Additionally, if you are a high-volume trader, you can benefit from rebates of up to $2.50 per forex lot.
AvaTrade - AvaTrade offers 50+ currency pairs with competitive spreads from 0.9 pips and zero commissions. You can trade majors, minors and exotics around the clock on industry-leading platforms, including MT4 and MT5. Traders can also access beginner-friendly trading tools and comprehensive forex education.
FOREX.com - FOREX.com continues to uphold its stature as a premier FX broker, offering over 80 currency pairs and boasting some of the most competitive fees in the industry. With EUR/USD spreads dipping as low as 0.0 and $5 commission per $100k, it stands out. Moreover, its SMART Signals help to identify price behaviors across numerous major currency markets.

Trading USD/JPY Comparison

Trading USD/JPY Comparison
Forex Assets	EUR/USD Spread	Forex App Rating	Minimum Deposit	Regulator	Visit
65+	1.6	4 / 5	$0	NFA, CFTC	Visit
55+	0.0	4 / 5	$50	FCA, ASIC, FSCA, VFSC	Visit
75	0.02	4.8 / 5	$200	ASIC, CySEC, FSA	Visit
50+	0.9	4.3 / 5	-	ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBol, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM	Visit
80+	1.2	4.9 / 5	$100	NFA, CFTC, CIRO, FCA, CYSEC, ASIC, SFC, FSA, MAS, CIMA	Visit
100+	0.1	4.7 / 5	$0	FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB	Visit
55+	1.6	4.7 / 5	$5	ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FSC, FSCA	Visit
50+	0.0	3.6 / 5	$100	ASIC, FCA, xCySEC, SCB	Visit
45+	Variable	3 / 5	$0	-	Visit
60+	14 pips	4.5 / 5	$10	-	Visit
80+	0.8	4.9 / 5	$0	FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA	Visit
70+	1.58 pips (Ave)	2.5 / 5	$100	FCA, CySEC, FSCA, SCB, FSC	Visit
70+	0.2	3.4 / 5	$0	CySEC	Visit
70+	1.0	4.8 / 5	$0	FCA, CySEC, KNF, CNMV, DFSA, FSC	Visit
60+	0.6	5 / 5	$100	FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, MAS, FSA, FSCA, FMA, EFSA	Visit

#1 - OANDA US

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Review

Why We Chose OANDA US

OANDA offers a diverse selection of 68 currency pairs, more than many alternatives. The broker’s in-house platform offers superb day trading capabilities via powerful TradingView charts, including 65+ technical indicators and 11 customizable chart types.

"OANDA remains an excellent broker for US day traders seeking a user-friendly platform with premium analysis tools and a straightforward joining process. OANDA is also heavily regulated with a very high trust score."
- DayTrading Review Team

GBPUSD Spread: 3.4
EURUSD Spread: 1.6
EURGBP Spread: 1.7
Total Assets: 65+
Leverage: 1:50
Platforms: OANDA Trade, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist

About OANDA US

OANDA is a popular brand offering exceptional execution, low deposit requirements and advanced charting and trading platform features. The top-rated brand has over 25 years of experience and is regulated by trusted agencies, including the NFA/CFTC. Around the clock support is available for short-term traders, alongside flexible contract sizes and automated trade executions.

Pros

Seasoned day traders can access industry-leading tools, including an MT4 premium upgrade and advanced charting provided by MotiveWave
The broker's API facilitates access to 25 years of deep historical data and rates from 200+ currencies
OANDA is a reliable, trustworthy and secure brand with authorization from tier-one regulators including the CFTC

Cons

It's a shame that customer support is not available on weekends
There's only a small range of payment methods available, with no e-wallets supported
The range of day trading markets is limited to forex and cryptos only

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#2 - Vantage

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Why We Chose Vantage

Vantage offers 55+ currency pairs - above the industry average, so experienced traders can explore plenty of opportunities. Vantage's deep liquidity pool provides forex spreads from 0.0 pips in the ECN account, lower than many alternatives. There are also no commissions, deposit fees or hidden charges.

"Vantage remains an excellent option for CFD traders seeking a tightly-regulated broker with access to the reliable MetaTrader platforms. The fast sign-up process and $50 minimum deposit make it very straightforward to start day trading quickly."
- DayTrading Review Team

GBPUSD Spread: 0.5
EURUSD Spread: 0.0
EURGBP Spread: 0.5
Total Assets: 55+
Leverage: 1:500
Platforms: ProTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView, DupliTrade

About Vantage

Founded in 2009, Vantage offers trading on 1000+ short-term CFD products to over 900,000 clients. You can trade Forex CFDs from 0.0 pips on the RAW account through TradingView, MT4 or MT5. Vantage is ASIC-regulated and client funds are segregated. Copy traders will also appreciate the range of social trading tools.

Pros

There are no short-term strategy restrictions with hedging and scalping permitted
The low minimum deposit of $50 and zero funding fees make this broker a great choice for new traders
It’s quick and easy to open a live account – taking less than 2 minutes

Cons

It's a shame that some clients will need to register with the offshore entity, which offers less regulatory protection
The average execution speeds of 100ms to 250ms are slower than alternatives based on tests
Unfortunately, cryptos are only available for Australian clients

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#3 - IC Markets

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Review

Why We Chose IC Markets

IC Markets maintains its commitment to providing exceptionally tight 0.0-pip forex spreads on major currency pairs such as EUR/USD. This makes it an excellent option if you are seeking superior execution, with an average of 35 milliseconds. Additionally, if you are a high-volume trader, you can benefit from rebates of up to $2.50 per forex lot.

"IC Markets offers superior pricing, exceptionally fast execution and seamless deposits. The introduction of advanced charting platforms, notably TradingView, and the Raw Trader Plus account, ensures it remains a top choice for intermediate to advanced day traders."
- DayTrading Review Team

GBPUSD Spread: 0.23
EURUSD Spread: 0.02
EURGBP Spread: 0.27
Total Assets: 75
Leverage: 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global)
Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade

About IC Markets

IC Markets is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker known for its excellent pricing, comprehensive range of trading instruments, and premium trading technology. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Australia, the brokerage is regulated by the ASIC, CySEC and FSA, and has attracted more than 180,000 clients from over 200 countries.

Pros

IC Markets offers among the tightest spreads in the industry, with 0.0-pip spreads on major currency pairs, making it especially cost-effective for day traders.
You have access to over 2,250 CFDs across various markets, including forex, commodities, indices, stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies, allowing for diversified trading strategies.
IC Markets offers fast and dependable 24/5 support based on firsthand experience, particularly when it comes to accounts and funding issues.

Cons

There are fees for certain withdrawal methods, including a $20 wire charge, which can eat into profits, especially for frequent withdrawals.
Despite four industry-leading third-party platforms, there is no proprietary software or trading app built with new traders in mind.
Interest isn't paid on unused cash, an increasingly popular feature found at alternatives like Interactive Brokers.

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#4 - AvaTrade

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Review

Why We Chose AvaTrade

AvaTrade offers 50+ currency pairs with competitive spreads from 0.9 pips and zero commissions. You can trade majors, minors and exotics around the clock on industry-leading platforms, including MT4 and MT5. Traders can also access beginner-friendly trading tools and comprehensive forex education.

"AvaTrade offers the full package for short-term traders. There is powerful charting software, reliable execution, transparent fees, and fast account opening with a low minimum deposit."
- DayTrading Review Team

GBPUSD Spread: 1.5
EURUSD Spread: 0.9
EURGBP Spread: 1.5
Total Assets: 50+
Leverage: 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)
Platforms: WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade

About AvaTrade

AvaTrade is a leading forex and CFD broker, established in 2006 and regulated across 9 jurisdictions. Over 400,000 users have signed up with the broker which processes over 2 million trades each month. The firm offers multiple trading platforms, including MT4, MT5, and a proprietary WebTrader. 1250+ financial instruments are available for day trading, alongside a comprehensive education center and multilingual customer support.

Pros

The broker’s unique risk management tool, AvaProtect, protects against losses up to $1 million and is easy to activate in the platform
Automated trading is supported through MetaTrader Expert Advisors (EAs), as well as the AvaSocial and DupliTrade tools
Day traders can access stable spreads and zero commissions with no hidden fees

Cons

There’s an above-average $50 inactivity fee after three months, though this won't impact active day traders
Traders from the US are not accepted
A high $2000 minimum investment is required to use DupliTrade, which will be out of reach for many beginners

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#5 - FOREX.com

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Review

Why We Chose FOREX.com

FOREX.com continues to uphold its stature as a premier FX broker, offering over 80 currency pairs and boasting some of the most competitive fees in the industry. With EUR/USD spreads dipping as low as 0.0 and $5 commission per $100k, it stands out. Moreover, its SMART Signals help to identify price behaviors across numerous major currency markets.

"FOREX.com remains a best-in-class brokerage for active forex traders of all experience levels, with over 80 currency pairs, tight spreads from 0.0 pips and low commissions. The powerful charting platforms collectively offer over 100 technical indicators, as well as extensive research tools."
- DayTrading Review Team

GBPUSD Spread: 1.3
EURUSD Spread: 1.2
EURGBP Spread: 1.4
Total Assets: 80+
Leverage: 1:200 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
Platforms: MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral

About FOREX.com

Founded in 1999, FOREX.com is now part of StoneX, a financial services organization serving over one million customers worldwide. Regulated in the US, UK, EU, Australia and beyond, the broker offers thousands of markets, not just forex, and provides excellent pricing on cutting-edge platforms.

Pros

There’s a wealth of educational resources including tutorials, webinars, and a stacked YouTube channel to help you get educated in the financial markets.
The in-house Web Trader continues to shine as one of the best-designed platforms for aspiring day traders with a slick design and over 80 technical indicators for market analysis.
With over 20 years of experience, excellent regulatory oversight, and multiple accolades including runner-up in our 'Best Forex Broker' awards, FOREX.com boasts a global reputation as a trusted brokerage.

Cons

Despite increasing its range of instruments, FOREX.com's product portfolio is still limited to forex and CFDs, so there are no options to invest in real stocks, real ETFs or real cryptocurrencies.
FOREX.com's MT4 platform offers approximately 600 instruments, significantly fewer than the over 5,500 available on its non-MetaTrader platforms.
Demo accounts are frustratingly time-limited to 90 days, which doesn’t give you enough time to test day trading strategies effectively.

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Chart

Breaking Down ‘USD/JPY’

Firstly, what precisely does USD/JPY actually mean? Quite simply, it represents the exchange rate between the US dollar and Japanese yen. So, the figure you see quoted is how many Japanese yen you need to buy one US dollar. The US dollar is the base currency in this major currency pair.

Rich volatility and volume see a daily turnover in excess of $900 billion. This makes the USD/JPY the second most traded currency pair in the world, after the EUR/USD. Furthermore, it’s responsible for approximately 17.7% of the forex daily turnover.

Why Day Trade USD/JPY?

There are a number of reasons why realtime USD/JPY day trading is an enticing prospect. Some of the most appealing characteristics are as follows:

Relatively low spreads – The USD/JPY remains popular. This is partly because of its comparatively low bid-ask spreads.
Volatility – This currency pair displays high levels of volatility, often driven by Asian market forces. As a result of this implied volatility, day traders have plenty of opportunities to turn a profit.
Volume – As it is based on two of the most active currencies in the world, market volume is huge. As a result, this popularity ensures finding trading tips and forex signals is relatively easy.
Predictability – The USD/JPY market is often linked to commodities trading in Japan. So, research and analysis are relatively straightforward. In fact, you can look to global imports and exports to gauge market sentiment.
Diverse trading vehicles – As such a popular currency pair, there are numerous trading vehicles you can use to generate profits. From E-mini and E-micro USD/JPY futures to options, ETFs, and more.
Beginner friendly – Relatively smooth trends and fantastic liquidity makes the USD/JPY pair appealing to both beginners and experienced traders.
Availability of resources – In many ways, conducting technical analysis from with a streaming chart is easier now than ever before. This is because you have direct access to bar charts, average daily ranges, exchange rate history graphs, and more. For example, conducting Elliott wave analysis is more straightforward. In addition, there is an active online trading community, in the form of blogs. Also, websites offer up-to-date market reviews and hourly forecasts.

So, firstly this pair is one of the most actively traded. Also, technical outlook and availability of resources add to the benefits the USD/JPY currency pair offers.

USD/JPY Drawbacks

Before you load up your live online USD/JPY chart and decide whether to buy or sell, you should also be aware of the associated drawbacks and risks:

BoJ intervention – The BoJ has a habit of intervening in the forex market when price action and movements may threaten economic growth and the Japanese export industry. So, traders must keep abreast of BoJ developments. If not, you may be in be for a short, sharp, and expensive surprise.
Volatility – Whilst volatility is a benefit, it can also mean sudden price fluctuations. If traders aren’t vigilant, a winning position can quickly become a costly loss. For example, natural disasters can have a huge impact on their closed economy. So, the USD/JPY is accompanied by a serious degree of risk.
Dangers of leverage – Whilst borrowing funds enables you to capitalise on winning opportunities, it can also amplify losses. So, when margin trading is used with a volatile pair like the USD/JPY, it can be all too easy to lose serious capital.
Automated competition – Traders of today face a significant challenge in the form of trading algorithms. These intelligent bots can use yearly charts and current drops to make forecasts now. You’re still manually drawing head and shoulders patterns. However, these automated systems are already entering and exiting positions. As a result, competitive forward rates and US dollar vs Japanese yen forecasts for this coming week are more important than ever.

Overall, the USD/JPY pair has its advantages. However, it also comes with challenges. This is all the more reason to learn how to read the USD/JPY and conduct a thorough market analysis.

Influences On Movement

Accurate USD/JPY chart investing requires a detailed understanding of what causes movement. Therefore, the most significant influences are as follows:

Economic strength – The greatest influence on the USD/JPY relationship will always be respective economic strength. When the US economy suffers, the yen is likely to strengthen, and vice versa. Unemployment rates, wage growth and industrial production are just some of the key economic indicators.
Japanese imports vs exports – When the Japanese import more than they export, the US dollar strengthens against the yen, as they are purchasing more than they are selling. On top of that, because Japan is a huge exporter, trading relations with countries such as China can also impact the USD/JPY pair.
Japanese national disasters – Due to its size, any natural disasters can have a substantial effect. However, the US economy is unlikely to be impacted to such a significant extent.
Pace of currency growth – On the whole, the US economy grows at a much faster rate than that of Japan. In fact, the yen has been growing slowly in recent years. As a result, this means there has been a consistent downward trend against the US dollar.
Government intervention – The Federal Reserve of the US (Fed) and the BoJ are responsible for monetary policies. Although this is currently of particular importance in Japan. This because the government has introduced a number of initiatives to bolster the economy. So, traders should pay close attention to any breaking news in relation to new measures, such as changes to interest rates, quantitive easing, and inflation.

To conclude, spotting trade opportunities in the USD/JPY requires an understanding of how these underlying forces work to tip the balance in favour of each currency. With that knowledge, telling whether prices will start going up or down may be easier.

Currency Correlations

Currencies do not move independently of each other and the USD/JPY pair is no exception. In fact, the USD/CHF and EUR/USD are the two other pairs with the highest correlation to the USD/JPY. The former has a positive correlation, and the latter a negative correlation.

Positive correlation – This is when currency reacts in line with each other. For example, GBP/USD, AUD/USD, and EUR/USD are all correlated. This is a result of the US dollar being the counter currency, so any changes in the US dollar will be felt in all pairs.
Negative correlation – When currency pairs move in the opposite direction, they are negatively correlated. In fact, this happens in the USD/JPY, USD/CHF, and USD/CAD. This is a result of the US dollar being the base currency.

Of course, it isn’t quite that straightforward, the degree of correlation can also change. It is taken as a measurement from -1 to +1. So, an understanding of this will allow you to use movements in other pairs to predict fluctuations in the USD/JPY.

In fact, there are several Japanese yen pairs that are highly correlated to the USD/JPY:

CAD/JPY
CHF/JPY
EUR/JPY
SGD/JPY
HKF/JPY

USD/JPY & Gold Correlation

It’s also worth pointing out that although gold is not a currency per say, as a result of electronic trading capabilities, it is now traded in much the same way. The yen is actually highly correlated to gold. So, USD/JPY and XAU/USD (gold/US dollar) are negatively correlated. The higher USD/JPY moves, the lower gold usually goes.

So, technical analysis now needs to cover more than the basics of support and resistance levels. If you can also utilise currency correlations to your advantage, you may be able to factor greater returns into your profit calculator.

USD/JPY Day Trading Strategy

Timing

Whether you opt for a USD/JPY scalping or breakout strategy, when you trade could make all the difference to your intraday profits. This is because in the day trading forex space, timing is everything.

Capitalising on USD/JPY targets requires trading during prime time slots. FX day trading may be available 24/7, but you could be better off focusing on quality rather than quantity.

Normally, when London and Europe are open for business, pairs with the Euro, British pound, and Swiss franc are most actively traded. Then, when New York opens, currency pairs with the US dollar and Canadian dollar gather momentum.

The USD/JPY, however, doesn’t quite follow this tradition. The pair sees relatively consistent volume throughout the day, of course with occasional spikes in volatility. Having said that, it is fairly accepted that the best time day trade the USD/JPY is between 1200 and 1500 GMT. Both London and New York are at full pace in this period. Although Tokyo’s opening time comes afterwards, the biggest daily moves often take place during this time frame.

At these times, you will also benefit from the tightest spreads and potentially the greatest opportunities to generate profits. So, check for intraday volatility and focus your trading capital into this time slot.

Rise & Shine

Determined USD/JPY day traders are at their desk premarket, preparing for the trading day ahead. Furthermore, they may have their economic calendar in front of them, along with historical exchange rate data on an Excel spreadsheet. Whilst everyone else is just waking up, they’ve poured through discussion forums and data, so they have clear expectations for the day ahead. Related stock shifts and daily pivot points may surprise others, but early risers are often ready and waiting to react. By closing time, unlike most, they haven’t sunk into the red.

So, in the forex world, where short and sharp reversals are a regular occurrence, preparation is key. Even if it means working outside of your normal market hours.

Simple Moving Average Cross & Bounce

The good news is, the USD/JPY is ideal for intraday trading. In fact, you can often see spikes between the 20 to 40 pip range within the first few minutes of the market’s opening. So, what strategy can you use to capitalise on rich price action movement?

The simple moving average cross and bounce is a straightforward strategy to set up and execute. Although some prefer USD/JPY 15-minute charts, this technique works best with a 4-hour candlestick chart.

The indicators you will need are as follows:

MA (50/200)
BB (20)

Buy Entry Rules

1. The BB (MA20) must be above MA (50).
2. Price needs to cross above both BB (MA20) and MA (50).
3. Price also must test BB (MA20) as support whilst above MA (50).
4. Look for bullish confirmation candle from support.
5. Enter a buy/long entry.

Sell Entry Rules

1. BB (MA20) needs to be below MA (50).
2. Price has to cross below both BB (MA20) and MA (50).
3. Price needs to test BB (MA20) for the resistance whilst staying below MA (50).
4. Look for a bearish confirmation candle from resistance.
5. Place a short/sell entry.

To minimise risk you should also look to incorporate stop-losses. So, place a stop-loss at the bottom/top wick of the confirmation candle, dependant of course, on whether you are buying or selling. You should then allow the price to move in the trade direction.

Once the price retests MA (20), you should move the stop-loss to the top/bottom wick of the candle. Keep repeating this until the price no longer stays above/below MA (20) and hits the stop-loss.

News

The latest market news updates on the USD/JPY currency pair can quickly affect market sentiment and lead to shifts. However, you can only capitalise on these moments if you understand how the markets reacted last time something like this happened.

So, to keep abreast of live news updates, recommendations, daily, weekly, and monthly forecasts, plus technical analysis and commentary, consider some of the popular resources below:

Bloomberg
Forex Factory
Yahoo Finance
Google Finance
Reuters
CNBC

In addition, here are just a few more benefits some of the sources above can offer:

Daily forex outlook.
Latest USD/JPY forecasts for 2018.
Historical prices.
20-years, 30-years, and 50-years worth of historical graphs and long-term charts.
Trading definitions.
Weekly and monthly data.
An overview of yesterday’s USD/JPY performance and prices.

Regardless of whether your USD/JPY strategy focuses on resistance and support levels, or whether it centres around news events, being aware of current updates in the forex space could seriously enhance your technical analysis.

History

Japanese Economy

To make accurate USD/JPY predictions and forecasts, it also helps to understand some key events in the pair’s relationship.

Japan may lack natural resources and geographic size, but their work ethic, success with technologies, and boundary-pushing manufacturing techniques have ensured the economy has flourished since the damage it suffered in World War II. As a result, today the Japanese economy stands as the largest after the US and China.

However, historical data and news show us the Japanese economy came upon hard times in the early 1990s. This is because the real estate and domestic equity bubbles burst. As a result, the economydecelerated and there was substantial deflation.

However, the last twenty years have seen the introduction of a number of measures by the Japanese government and Bank of Japan (BoJ) to rejuvenate the economy. Whilst not totally successful, there is little debate that their economy today is a major player on the global stage.

Why does all this matter if you want to start day trading on the USD/JPY? Because an understanding of what and how previous factors have influenced economic strength and growth will give you a clearer future forex outlook. All of which may result in more accurate predictions and forecasts.

Japenese Yen

Since its introduction in July of 1871, the yen has flourished, becoming the most traded currency in Asia, and the third most popular in the world, following the US dollar and euro. On the whole, when the Japanese economy performs well, the yen increases in strength against the dollar.

In fact, steps that were taken to keep interest rates low to stimulate the economy have lead to the yen becoming an increasingly popular carry trade. This is where investors sell the yen to buy higher-yielding currencies. This constant selling has kept the yen at a much lower trade level than it may have reached otherwise. See our carry trade page for more details.

In conclusion, this all means USD/JPY traders need to keep abreast of new data and information about Japan’s economic growth and recovery. So, if a rise in rates takes place and the popularity of the yen carry trade diminishes, this could result in a strengthening of the yen.

US Dollar

The US dollar has been the standard US monetary unit for over two hundred years. However, whilst the Japanese yen and the economy suffered from World War II, the years that followed the war saw the US economy and dollar boom. This is partly because of the 1944 Bretton Woods Agreement.

In fact, if you load up a graph and look at USD/JPY historical exchange rate data, you will quickly see this agreement played a huge part in securing the success of the US dollar. Specifically, it ensured the US dollar’s place as the world’s official reserve currency.

Recent History

The USD/JPY relationship has seen significant fluctuations in recent years. Both currencies and economies have had their ups and downs. 2013 in particular, highlighted some interesting results. For example:

The US dollar was on one side of a staggering 87% of all forex trades.
The Japanese yen, however, saw the largest increase in trading activity of the other major currencies, rising by 63% from 2010.
Also, in April of 2013, the USD/JPY trading reflected 18.3% of total FX turnover, an increase of 4% from just three years ago.

USD/JPY historical data has shown both economies and currencies have had their moments in recent years. However, understanding what has caused their successes and shortfalls will enable you to better predict and react to future reports.

Role of USD

You can’t get a clear view of the USD/JPY relationship without understanding the significant role the US dollar plays. So below are just a few ways it holds a unique position in global finance:

Numerous banks around the world hold currency reserves in US dollar.
Many small countries even opt to use US dollar instead of their own currency or peg their currency to its value.
OPEC countries also use the US dollar to conduct oil transactions.
It is often used to settle international financial transactions.
Gold prices and other popular commodities are also frequently set in US dollars.
It is currently the most commonly traded currency in the world.
The US is the second largest trading nation, after China.
The US represents around 25% of the global nominal GDP.
Services such as real estate, financial services, transportation, and healthcare form nearly 80% of its GDP.

Aspiring day traders would be wise to get an understanding of the reach and prominence the US dollar holds. In fact, monitoring US economic strength will help you to forecast how the USD/JPY will strengthen or weaken in favour of the US dollar. However, effective monitoring means looking out for signals and economic indicators. Some of the key reports to follow include:

Trade Balance
Consumer Price Index (CPI)
Producer Price Index (PPI)
Non-farm payrolls
ISM Non-manufacturing
ISM Manufacturing
Trade Balance
Federal Reserve Minutes
Retail Sales
Industrial production

So, by looking at charts and historical graphs, you get a feel for why certain currency pairings react as they do. Hourly charts and key levels may be important for your forex outlook today, but so too is information on events decades ago. Overall, all will enhance your understanding of what drives movement in the USD/JPY currency pair.

Role of JPY

It’s all too easy to focus your attention on the strength and role of the US dollar. However, the Japanese yen also plays a vital role. This is because it is the most liquid currency in Asia. Which also makes it a gauge for Asian economic growth.

In times of economic instability and volatility in Asia, traders often respond by buying or selling the yen. This is because other Asian currencies are more challenging to trade. A spike of which, can seriously impact market prices and quotes for the USD/JPY.

Also, it is traded in such high volume because the yen is accompanied by extremely low-interest rates. In recent years, the BoJ has purchased a substantial volume of yen to increase inflation. As a result, the ven has devalued alongside the increase of money supply. Exports surge, as do the price of imports, particularly commodities.

Due to its ranking as the third most traded currency after the US dollar and euro, it is also the world’s fourth reserve currency, following the US dollar, euro, and pound sterling.

Understanding the yen’s global role will allow you to better evaluate trends in the USD/JPY, not to mention conduct realtime fundamental analysis.

Final Word

In conclusion, the USD/JPY currency pairing ranks second for liquidity. In addition, its behaviour promises day traders precisely the volume and volatility required to yield profits. However, competition is fierce and an understanding of all the market forces at play will be needed to assert an edge.

So, you will have to conduct your own expert analysis, using interactive daily, weekly, and historical charts to make accurate projections. You will also need a forex trading platform that compliments your trading style. However, if you tick those boxes, plus utilise the resources outlined on this page, generating those rich forex profits may be a possibility.

For more guidance, see our forex page.