The USDJPY has spent most of its time since March 11 trading within a well-defined range between 158.00 and 160.00. There have been brief breaks outside that band, but for the most part, price action has been contained—making those boundaries a clear barometer for buyers and sellers.Today, the buyers started to take more control.The first clue came during the Asian-Pacific session, where the price found solid support against the 100-hour moving average. Buyers leaned against that level, defining risk, and used it as a springboard for a push higher into the European session.Momentum carried into North America, where stronger USD buying—helped by rising yields and higher oil prices—drove the pair above the key swing area near 160.00. That break shifted the bias more firmly in favor of the buyers.Since then, the price has extended to a high of 160.31, with the corrective pullback holding at 160.006. The pair currently trades near 160.20, keeping the upside pressure intact.For buyers to stay in control:Holding above the 159.96–160.00 area is keyThat zone now acts as a floor and short-term risk-defining levelA more conservative risk level comes in below 159.705—the low of a prior swing area. A move below would start to erode the bullish bias.On the topside, the next target comes in at the 2026 high of 160.455. A break above that level would open the door to the July 2024 high at 161.919—the highest level in over a year.Bottom line:Buyers made a play above 160.00Sellers are feeling the pressureHolding above the breakout keeps the path tilted higherNow it’s about whether the buyers can build on the momentum—or if the move turns into another failed break in what has been a range-bound market. This article was written by Greg Michalowski at investinglive.com.