USD/JPY attracts some sellers below 151.00 as Japan’s Tokyo CPI inflation accelerates in November

USD/JPY weakens to near 150.95 in Friday’s early Asian session, down 0.35% on the day. 

The hotter Japan’s Tokyo CPI data could support the case for a BoJ rate hike at its December meeting.

The cautious stance of the Fed might cap the pair’s downside. 

The USD/JPY pair loses traction to around 150.95 during the early Asian session on Friday. The Japanese Yen (JPY) edges higher after the hotter-than-expected Japan’s Tokyo Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation report for November. 

Data released by the Statistics Bureau of Japan on Friday showed that the headline Tokyo Consumer Price Index (CPI) climbed by 2.6% YoY in November, compared to 1.8% in the previous month. Meanwhile, the Tokyo CPI ex Fresh Food, Energy rose by 2.2% YoY in November versus 1.8% prior. Tokyo CPI ex Fresh Food increased 2.2% YoY in November, compared to a 1.8% increase in October, and was above the market consensus of 2.1%. 

The core CPI has stayed above the Bank of Japan’s (BoJ) 2% target and kept alive market expectations for a near-term interest rate hike. This, in turn, boosts the JPY and creates a headwind for USD/JPY. BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda stated the Japanese central bank will keep raising rates if inflation remains on track to stably hit 2% as it projects.