The Japanese yen traded around 159.5 per dollar on Monday, remaining under pressure and hovering near the closely watched 160 level that previously triggered official intervention to support the currency.

Data released on Friday showed that Japanese authorities spent ¥11.7 trillion intervening in foreign exchange markets in late April, confirming widespread market speculations.

On the policy front, investors remain divided over whether the Bank of Japan will deliver another interest rate hike this month, as policymakers weigh growing uncertainties linked to tensions in the Middle East. Market participants are now awaiting remarks from BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda later this week for further insight into the central bank’s policy outlook.

Meanwhile, Japan’s capital spending was unchanged in the first quarter compared with a year earlier, pointing to a slowdown in corporate investment and raising concerns about the strength of domestic economic momentum.