USD/JPY Bearish Below 152.80 as Markets Await US Jobs Data

USD/JPY is trading under sustained bearish pressure, slipping below the critical 100-day moving average near the 152.800 level, a key technical threshold that now acts as overhead resistance. The pair's downside momentum reflects persistent yen strength fueled by shifting expectations around Bank of Japan monetary policy and yield curve dynamics. However, the US dollar may find a near-term floor if upcoming US employment data delivers a strong reading, potentially reviving expectations for a more hawkish Federal Reserve posture. Traders are closely watching the next Non-Farm Payrolls release and weekly jobless claims for signals on labor market resilience. On the technical front, a sustained break below 152.800 could open the path toward the 151.50–152.00 support zone, while a recovery above the 100-day MA would be needed to shift sentiment back toward the bulls. The interplay between BOJ policy normalization expectations and US labor market strength will be the defining factor for USD/JPY direction in the sessions ahead. Risk management around these event-driven catalysts is advised.