EUR/JPY retreats below 163.00 following upbeat Tokyo CPI data

• EUR/JPY declines as the Japanese Yen gains strength following the release of Tokyo’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) data on Friday.
• Tokyo’s core CPI increased by 2.4% year-on-year in March, staying above the Bank of Japan’s 2% target.
• The Euro (EUR) weakens as trade tensions rise between the United States and the Eurozone.

EUR/JPY retraces its recent gains from the previous session, trading around 162.70 during the Asian hours. The currency cross depreciates as the Japanese Yen (JPY) strengthens following the release of Tokyo’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) data on Friday.

Tokyo’s core CPI rose 2.4% year-on-year in March, up from 2.2% in February, aligning with market expectations. This marks the fifth consecutive month that core inflation has remained above the Bank of Japan’s (BoJ) 2% target, reinforcing speculation that the central bank will continue normalizing its monetary policy.

The headline Tokyo CPI for March increased 2.9% YoY, unchanged from the previous month, according to Japan’s Statistics Bureau. Meanwhile, Tokyo CPI, excluding fresh food and energy, rose to 1.1% in March from 0.8% in February (revised from 2.2%).

The BoJ, in its March meeting summary, reaffirmed its commitment to raising policy interest rates and adjusting monetary accommodation if economic and price conditions warrant. The central bank emphasized a flexible, data-driven approach, taking into account evolving economic trends, inflationary pressures, and associated risks.

The EUR/JPY cross also faces pressure as the Euro (EUR) weakens against its peers amid escalating trade tensions between the United States (US) and the Eurozone. Concerns over a potential trade war have intensified as the European Union (EU) prepares retaliatory tariffs in response to the 25% auto tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, set to take effect on April 2.

Germany is expected to be significantly impacted, as 13% of its total auto exports are sent to the US. This development could weigh on the Euro’s outlook. On Wednesday, Trump signed a proclamation enforcing the tariffs and warned of stricter measures against the EU and Canada if they retaliate.