• USD/JPY fell sharply on Friday as the yen strengthened after Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said the government would encourage domestic pension funds to increase their holdings of Japanese financial assets.
• The remarks drew attention to the Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF), the world's largest pension fund, which managed 293.6 trillion yen ($1.8 trillion) in assets at the end of March.
• The latest news also highlights how urgently Tokyo is searching for ways to anchor markets buffeted by sharp swings in bond yields and the currency.
• Before Friday's news, the yen had been languishing near 40-year lows, keeping traders on guard for potential intervention by Japanese authorities.
• Immediate resistance is located at 162.82 (23.6%fib), any close above will push the pair towards 163.33(Higher BB).
• Support is seen at 160.83 (38.2%fib) and break below could take the pair towards 160.52(Lower BB).
Recommendation: Good to sell around 161.70, with stop loss of 162.20 and target price of 161.10
