USDJPY Price Analysis: Yen Gains as Pair Tests Critical 100-Hour Moving Average

Author: Greg Michalowski

Date: April 3, 2026

Overview

The USD/JPY currency pair is experiencing renewed selling pressure, marking a decline of nearly 0.50%. This movement comes as the strength of the US dollar diminishes, pushing the pair to a critical technical level that has been pivotal in defining its trend over the past month.

Technical Breakdown

The 100-Hour Moving Average: A Line in the Sand

Since February 11, the rising 100-hour Moving Average (MA) has acted as a significant support level for the USD/JPY uptrend. Buyers have consistently defended this level, particularly during the lows observed in the previous trading session.

Earlier today, the pair tested this MA, hitting a low at 156.87, which prompted a brief recovery towards 157.41. However, this upward movement faltered just below the key resistance zone between 157.65 and 157.73.

Current Technical Outlook

The price is currently retesting the 100-hour MA at 156.87, which serves as a crucial indicator of market sentiment:

• The Bullish Defense: If the price holds above 156.87, buyers will maintain control, potentially leading to another attempt at the resistance area around 157.70.
• The Bearish Break: A sustained move below this moving average would indicate that sellers are gaining momentum. If this support fails, it could lead to a shift in market bias, with the next major downside target being the 200-hour Moving Average at 156.17.

Conclusion

The USD/JPY pair is at a critical juncture, with the 100-hour moving average acting as a key support level. Traders are closely monitoring this area to gauge market sentiment and potential future movements in the pair.