AUD/USD Rises on Strong Jobs Data; USD/JPY Nears 160 Intervention Zone

AUD/USD gained ground during the Asia-Pacific session as Australia's tight labor market data reinforced hawkish expectations for the Reserve Bank of Australia. The employment figures exceeded forecasts, providing a bid for the Australian dollar against its major counterparts. Meanwhile, USD/JPY continues to hover near the critical 160 level, raising intervention risks from Japanese authorities. The Bank of Japan is expected to reach a 1% policy rate by mid-year, adding upward pressure on the yen. Japan's machinery orders surged 19.1% in December, significantly beating expectations and signaling robust capital expenditure. In other developments, the RBNZ announced plans to increase monetary policy decisions to eight per year starting 2027, while geopolitical tensions remain elevated with reports of a possible US military strike on Iran. South Korea's KOSPI hit a record high on tech momentum. Traders should monitor the 160 USD/JPY level closely as intervention rhetoric intensifies, while AUD/USD may find further support if labor market strength persists.