Yesterday the USDJPY traded weakly during Tokyo hours, hitting a low of 152.70 around GMT 09:00, but dollar buying strengthened afterward, reaching a high of 153.92 shortly after GMT 15:30. However, it lost momentum before the 154-yen level, and trading for the day closed at 153.29 yen.

Today the USDJPY hit a low of 153.07 shortly after GMT 00:30, then shifted toward dollar buying after President Trump mentioned Japan's investment and lending to the U.S., reaching a high of 153.70 shortly after GMT 02:00. As of GMT 05:00, the pair is trading in the upper 153-yen range.

Looking at the 1-hour chart of the USDJPY (as of GMT 05:00 on February 18), it shows a pattern of buying on dips with rising lows, and the focus is on whether it will update its near-term highs.

(20-period Bollinger Band, showing ±1 and ±2 standard deviations)

The main economic indicators for today are as follows:

• GMT 13:30 U.S. December durable goods orders
• GMT 13:30 U.S. December Housing starts
• GMT 13:30 U.S. December Building permits
• GMT 14:15 U.S. January Industrial production
• GMT 19:00 U.S. Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Meeting Minutes
• GMT 21:00 U.S. December Total net TIC flows