USD/JPY Higher-Low, 142.50 DefenseU.S. Dollar / Japanese YenFOREXCOM:USDJPYFOREXcomUSD/JPY continues to exert force on the USD and the past week was no different. Despite an open door for sellers, a higher-low showed with a hold of the same 142.50 support level that was in-play a week prior. That price traded early on Tuesday (Monday night in the states) and then on Thursday (Wed night in the U.S.) buyers came in to hold the low just above that price, illustrating a degree of bullish anticipation. Reports of slowing pace of bond tapering from the BoJ, and perhaps even smaller reductions to the banks bond buying helped to soften long-term Japanese yields: 40 year JGBs made a move towards the 3% marker after skyrocketing up to 3.7% just a few weeks ago. That helped JPY-weakness to continue against the USD and USD/JPY is back to re-testing the 145.00 handle in the pair. This remains a key component if a USD turn is nearby, but interestingly working with that turn may be more attractive against the Euro in a pair like EUR/USD as USD/JPY has continued to show traps on both sides of the market for much of 2025 trade. - js