The Japanese yen slipped past 159 per dollar on Friday and was on track for a second consecutive weekly decline, as softer domestic inflation eased pressure on the Bank of Japan to tighten monetary policy in the near term. Japan’s core inflation rate slowed to 1.4% in April from 1.8% in March, marking its lowest level in four years and remaining below the central bank’s 2% target for a third straight month. At its April meeting, the BOJ sharply raised its core inflation forecast to 2.8% from 1.9%, citing elevated crude oil prices tied to the Middle East conflict and continued cost pass-through by businesses to consumers. The latest data also followed reports that PM Sanae Takaichi signaled openness to a supplementary budget aimed at addressing rising energy costs. Meanwhile, traders remained alert for possible currency intervention as the yen continued to trade near the 160-per-dollar level that reportedly triggered Tokyo’s intervention efforts in late April and early May.