The yen strengthened toward 147 per dollar on Tuesday, extending gains for a second session as the dollar eased ahead of an expected Federal Reserve rate cut. Markets are almost fully pricing in a 25 basis point reduction this week, with a total of 67 bps of easing projected for the year. Those expectations have been underpinned by data showing a cooling US labor market and subdued inflation. Domestically, the Bank of Japan will set policy this week and is widely expected to keep rates unchanged at 0.5% as officials assess the impact of US tariffs on Japan’s export-driven economy. Traders are also awaiting fresh data, with exports and imports expected to remain weak and core CPI forecast to slow to 2.7%, the lowest since November 2024.