USD/JPY last deals at Y111.43, 6 pips....>

DOLLAR-YEN: USD/JPY last deals at Y111.43, 6 pips lower on the day, after

fluctuating within a 17 pip range overnight. The Nikkei 225 is gyrating around

unchanged levels at typing.

- BoJ Gov Kuroda told Japanese lawmakers that the BOJ will patiently maintain

its easy policy to achieve the 2% price target while keeping a close eye on

associated risks. For our highlights from his speech, see MNI Main Wire at 01:58

BST 04/04, or contact sales@marketnews.com for access.

- On the technical front, after the pair peaked just above the 200-DMA at

Y111.49 ahead of the Tokyo fix, bears look for a lift through the figure, before

shifting focus to the down trendline from Nov 28 at Y111.54, followed by the

Y112.00 mark. Meanwhile, bears eye the 100-HMA at Y110.23 and below here opens

the 21-DMA, situated 5 pips above Y110.00.

- Worth noting $968mln worth of options with strikes at Y111.50 expire at

today`s 1000ET NY cut.

- Japanese economic calendar is virtually empty towards the end of this week.