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2020.05.2207:57:00UTC+00Yen Strengthens As BoJ Unveils New Lending Program For Small Businesses

The Japanese yen gained ground against its key counterparts in the Asian session on Friday, after the Bank of Japan left its key interest rate unchanged and launched a new lending program to support small businesses struggling from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

At the emergency meeting, the policy board of the BoJ unanimously decided to launch a lending scheme worth about JPY 30 trillion to support SMEs struggling to operate amid the spread of the novel coronavirus, or Covid-19.

According to the new scheme, the bank will provide funds to eligible counterparties against pooled collateral for up to 1 year at the loan rate of zero percent.

The board voted 8-1 to retain the interest rate at -0.1 percent on current accounts that financial institutions maintain at the central bank.

Also, the bank will continue purchase a necessary amount of Japanese government bonds without setting an upper limit so that 10-year JGB yields will remain at around zero percent.

As for CP and corporate bonds, the BoJ will maintain their amounts outstanding at about JPY 2 trillion and about JPY 3 trillion, respectively.

The sell-off in Asian markets intensified after China's National People's Congress proposed bill to impose a national security law on Hong Kong.

The move sparked fears about escalation of tensions between the U.S. and China, pushing investors into the safe-haven assets.

China also announced it will not set a GDP target for 2020, due to the uncertainty amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications showed that Japan consumer prices rose just 0.1 percent on year in April - matching forecasts and slowing from the 0.4 percent increase in March.

Core consumer prices, which exclude volatile food costs, fell an annual 0.2 percent on year versus expectations for a flat reading following the 0.4 percent gain in the previous month.

The currency showed mixed performance against its major counterparts on Thursday. While it declined against the euro and the franc, it held steady against the greenback and the pound.

The yen appreciated to a 2-day high of 107.41 against the greenback, registering a 0.2 percent rise from Thursday's closing value of 107.60. If the yen rallies again, 104.00 is likely found as its next resistance level.

The yen gained 0.4 percent against the euro, approaching a 3-day high of 117.31. The yen was trading at 117.82 per euro at Thursday's close. Further, rally in the yen may locate resistance around the 113.5 area.

The yen was up 0.4 percent at a 3-day high of 110.50 against the Swiss franc, after falling to 110.98 at 8:45 pm ET. The franc-yen pair had finished Thursday's trading session at 110.86. Extension of the yen's rally may take it to a resistance around the 107.5 region.

Having declined to 131.78 at 8:45 pm ET, the Japanese currency turned higher against the pound, rising 0.5 percent to a 3-day high of 131.06. The pound-yen pair had ended yesterday's trading session at 131.48. The yen may possibly face resistance around the 126.00 region, if it firms again.

The yen added 0.6 percent against the loonie to touch a 4-day high of 76.64. The pair had closed Thursday's deals at 77.10. The yen may challenge resistance around the 74 mark.

The yen firmed to a 3-day high of 70.09 against the aussie, from yesterday's closing quote of 70.63. Immediate resistance for the yen is likely seen around the 67.00 level.

The yen was 0.5 percent higher against the kiwi, touching a 2-day high of 65.46. At Thursday's close, the pair was worth 65.78. The yen is seen facing resistance around the 62.00 mark.

Data from Statistics New Zealand showed that New Zealand retail sales fell a seasonally adjusted 0.7 percent on quarter - following the downwardly revised flat reading in the three months prior.

The value of retail sales fell 0.4 percent as 10 of the 16 regions showed lower sales values.

In today's events, the European Central Bank publishes the account of the monetary policy meeting of the Governing Council held on April 29 and 30 at 7.30 am ET.

Canada retail sales for March are due out at 8:30 am ET.

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