The Japanese yen edged dangerously close to the 160-per-dollar mark on Friday, weighed down by growing uncertainties over the Bank of Japan's policy outlook. The BOJ has signaled a possible rate hike this month but faces questions over whether it will provide clear guidance ahead of the April 28 meeting. Under Governor Kazuo Ueda, the bank has rarely held policy steady when markets were expecting a move. Traders are pricing in roughly a 70% chance of a rate increase, meaning a hold could unsettle global markets already jittery over Middle East tensions. Adding to the pressure, Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama flagged rising speculative activity in currency and crude oil markets, linking the volatility to US President Donald Trump’s renewed threats against Iranian infrastructure. She warned that the government is ready to take bold measures if market disruptions persist. Despite recent declines, the Japanese yen remains on track for a weekly gain.