USD/JPY Eyes 152.00 as Fed Hawks Circle; Oil Weakness Adds Support

USD/JPY has advanced 0.6% to 151.75 as hawkish Federal Reserve rhetoric strengthens dollar demand while persistent yen weakness continues. Fed officials signaled rates may stay elevated through 2025, with markets now pricing only two 25bp cuts versus four previously expected. The Bank of Japan's ultra-dovish stance contrasts sharply, maintaining negative rates despite 3.2% core inflation. WTI Crude's 2.1% decline to $67.80 reduces Japan's import costs marginally but fails to support the yen meaningfully. Technical momentum remains bullish with RSI at 68, approaching overbought territory. Immediate resistance lies at 152.00 (October 2022 high), while support holds at 151.20. A break above 152.00 could trigger BOJ intervention concerns, though officials have remained notably silent. Traders should monitor upcoming US CPI data and any shift in BOJ communication for directional catalysts.