The USD/JPY experienced a sudden collapse, plunging more than 250 pips within a few minutes. The pair, which had been trading above 150.00 following the release of better-than-expected US data, sharply dropped to 147.28 and then rebounded to 149.00. Significant volatility was observed in Yen crosses due to recent developments, indicating a potential intervention by Japanese officials to strengthen the currency. The trigger for this could have been the USD/JPY rising above 150.00 following the release of positive US economic data. However, no official announcement has been made thus far.
The US JOLTS Job Opening report exceeded expectations, coming in at 9.61 million in August, surpassing the consensus estimate of 8.8 million. Following the report, the US 10-year Treasury bond yield surged to 4.74%, reaching a new high not seen since 2007. This boost in yields propelled the USD/JPY above 150.00, with the pair peaking at 150.15, the highest level in almost a year, before the dramatic reversal occurred.