Asian Stocks Slide as Semiconductor Selloff Weighs on South Korea and Japan 
Japan Economy Minister Downplays Inflation Risks Despite BOJ Warning 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as Inflation Risks and Global Uncertainty Persist 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await U.S. Jobs Data 
US Yen Intervention Unlikely to Deliver Lasting Recovery, Yardeni Says 
US Dollar Gains as Iran Tensions, Fed Rate Hike Bets Rise 
BOJ Rate Decision in Focus as Sticky Inflation, Weak Yen Shape USD/JPY and Nikkei Outlook 
Trump Unveils $3 Billion U.S. Critical Minerals Push 
Oil Prices Slip as Hormuz Shipping Progress and Rising U.S. Crude Stocks Weigh on Market 
According to recent data from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, December's bonus payments declined 0.4% below that of 2014, shattering the Japanese central bankers' hopes of re-inflation. Further the summer bonus payment failed to impress, while regular salaries did not increased over the previous years.
The recent BoJ's monetary policy effect has faded away from the FX market. While the central bank has a number of measures at its disposal to tackle the situation including QE and rate policy among others, markets now clearly see the exchange rate as the only monetary policy measure left with the central bank. The BoJ will have no other option other than devaluating the yen.
