From a Japanese Perspective: Today’s Exchange Rate (July 14, 2026)

“162 yen range… the yen has weakened even further.”

When I opened the news on my smartphone this morning, the dollar-yen rate had firmly settled above 162 yen. To be honest, as someone living in Japan, this number brings mixed feelings.

Direct impact on daily life – Imported food and energy prices have been creeping up, pushed by both higher crude oil costs and the weak yen. Last month, electricity bills rose by about 10%, and this month, more price hikes on bread and cooking oil have been announced. Housewives keeping household ledgers can clearly see that food expenses are nearly 20% higher than the same period last year. Overseas travel? When the rate was 110 yen to the dollar, the U.S. still felt somewhat affordable. Now at 162 yen, even a fast‑food meal makes you do a double‑take at the price.

Good news for exporters? – The media reports that large companies like Toyota and Sony are posting record profits thanks to the weak yen, but ordinary salaried workers haven’t seen any real wage growth. Small and medium‑sized enterprises are struggling with soaring import costs, and wage increases are far from keeping up with inflation.

Government and Bank of Japan moves – Market attention is focused on whether the Ministry of Finance will step in with another currency intervention. Since they acted when the rate previously hit 160, the current 162 level may be a new warning line. However, the U.S. June CPI data is due out tonight – if inflation beats expectations, the Federal Reserve may raise rates further, potentially pushing the yen even lower. Everyone is also watching closely for any remarks from the BOJ governor tomorrow.

A boost for tourism – Of course, the tourism and retail sectors are benefiting. Foreign visitors find shopping in Japan even more attractive, and department stores and drugstores are bustling. For local Japanese, however, even domestic travel feels expensive, and many are choosing to stay home instead.

Today’s market rate (around 3 p.m. JST):

USD/JPY = around 162.35 (bid)

Little changed from yesterday, but psychologically the “162 wall” is very much on people’s minds.

As an ordinary Japanese citizen, my hope is that the exchange rate doesn’t fluctuate wildly any further. I wish the government would take measures to stabilise prices. Tonight’s U.S. CPI result could significantly affect household budgets from next month – that’s the sense of tension with which we’re going through the day.