The Japanese yen weakened past 158 per dollar on Friday, giving back part of the gains triggered by the joint currency intervention (official buying or selling of currencies) by Tokyo and Washington and reviving speculation that authorities could step in again. The move highlighted lingering skepticism about whether intervention can reverse the yen’s broader decline while wide interest rate differentials (gaps between borrowing costs), fiscal concerns, and elevated energy and import costs remain in place. Pressure on the currency also came from a firmer dollar and higher oil prices after renewed tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Domestic data added to the cautious backdrop, with Japan’s household spending falling 3.3% in June instead of rising 1% as expected, pointing to continued weakness in consumer demand. Investors are also watching for a possible Bank of Japan interest rate hike in September after the central bank left policy unchanged last week.