Recent bottoms were established around 169.55 and 171.05 (corresponding to the lower limit of the depicted bullish channel).

These bottoms prevented further bearish decline each time the pair visited them and provided enough buying pressure to keep pushing higher.

On Friday, the bulls have reached the upper limit of the depicted channel located roughly at 174.60 where bearish pressure was expressed obviously.

Signs of bearish recovery are quite manifested on the 4H chart. That's why, the GBP/JPY pair remains bearish as long as the recent high around 174.00 remains defended by the bears.

The bears need to keep their 4H closure below 173.30 in order to pursue towards further bearish targets.

The nearest demand zone located around 173.45 is being breached with such bearish 4H candlestick closures, while the pair has the next demand level around 172.40 where previous broken-tops as well as the lower limit of the current movement channel are located.

Note the bullish pressure expressed at 172.40 earlier today when the bears challenged yesterday's low around 172.70. Prominent bullish rejection is manifest on the chart so SELLERS should be conservative with their targets.