Fundamental view:
The US dollar initially fell during the course of the week against the Japanese yen but then turned around to show signs of strength again. Covid cases are edging higher in Japan, including in Tokyo, where the delayed Olympic Games have begun. Reports about athletes and other officials testing positive are also coming in. Still, surveys show locals are wary the Games could bring in more variants and turn into a super-spreader event. The capital remains under a state of emergency. On the other hand, Coronavirus infections are rising in the US – mostly in under-vaccinated areas, but now in all 50 states, dampening prospects of tighter policy from the Fed.
US NAHB Housing Market Index on 19th July and US Initial Jobless Claims on 22nd July created downtrend whereas Japan Adjusted Trade Balance on 21st July and US Markit Manufacturing PMI on 23rd July created uptrend for pair.
The major economic events deciding the movement of the pair in the next week are BoJ Governor Kuroda Speech, US Core Durable Goods Orders monthly report, US CB Consumer Confidence Index at July 27, Fed Interest Rate Decision at July 28, Japan Retail Sales monthly report, Japan Industrial Production monthly report, US GDP quarterly report, US Initial Jobless Claims at July 29 and US Michigan Consumer Sentiment at July 30.
USD/JPY Weekly outlook: