Masahiko Loo, a senior fixed income strategist at State Street Global Advisors, stated that the market views 162 as a critical defense line for the yen against the US dollar, suggesting that any joint intervention could prompt the Bank of Japan to advance the timing of its next interest rate hike. "Historical experience shows that the Ministry of Finance checking exchange rates is often a prelude to action," Loo said. "If the government does not follow up with concrete measures, it would fuel speculative pressure, as the market would test official resolve by pushing the yen even lower." "Setting aside the timing, the market's perception of the 'red line' is clear: 162, which was the level of the previous intervention." Japan's top currency diplomat, Masato Kanda, stated he has "no intention" of commenting on market speculation that officials conducted a rate check last Friday. The likelihood of a Bank of Japan rate hike in March or April would increase significantly if authorities were to implement joint currency market intervention. Any support from the U.S. Treasury would likely be conditional on the Bank of Japan moving forward with an early rate hike and continuing its policy normalization, while also reinforcing U.S. Treasury bonds' status as Japan's core long-term reserve asset.