USD/JPY last trades at Y111.74, 7 pips...>

DOLLAR-YEN: USD/JPY last trades at Y111.74, 7 pips better off. The yen

underperformed all of its G10 peers overnight, after large EUR/JPY emerged

around the Tokyo fix, spilling over into all G10 yen crosses. The Nikkei 225's

move higher did not help JPY pare losses, with the index last sitting ~0.7%

higher on the day.

- Worth mentioning Japanese Econ Minister Motegi reiterated that he will be

travelling to Washington for the first round of trade talks with the U.S. next

week. The initial aim will be "to decide on targeted goods categories."

- Familiar technical picture remains in play. A break above the Apr 5 monthly

high of Y111.82 would bring the Y112.00 mark into view. Above here opens the Mar

5 YTD high of Y112.14. Meanwhile, a pullback through the 200-DMA and 200-HMA,

located at Y111.51 & Y111.40 respectively, would turn bearish focus to the

21-DMA at Y111.09.

- Japanese industrial output and trade balance due Wednesday, as well as

national CPI due Friday take focus next week. Elsewhere, BoJ Dep Gov Wakatabe

will make a speech on Monday.