USDJPY Technical Analysis: Recovery Stalls Below Key Resistance as 159.57 Pivot Caps Upside

In this comprehensive analysis, Ultima Markets brings you an insightful breakdown of USDJPY for August 13, 2026.

Technical Analysis of USDJPY

USDJPY Daily Chart Insight

(USDJPY Daily Chart, Source: Ultima Markets MT5)

USDJPY remains within a broader constructive structure on the daily chart, but the sharp late-July selloff from the 163.435–164.260 area has pushed the market into a significant corrective phase. Price has rebounded from the 155.185 low to 159.311, although it remains below the red MA16, purple MA50, and blue MA100. The red MA16 is falling sharply, while the blue MA100 and purple MA50 remain positioned above price around the 160.135–160.960 region, leaving sellers with the broader near-term advantage despite the latest recovery. The rebound has stabilised the market above the post-selloff lows, but stronger confirmation requires price to reclaim the MA16/MA50/MA100 cluster at 160.135–160.960 and hold above it.

Key Levels:

• Support 1 (158.485): The immediate support area within the current rebound structure, where recent price action has stabilised after recovering from the late-July decline.
• Support 2 (156.835–157.660): The recent consolidation and swing-low region formed after the sharp selloff.
• Support 3 (155.185): The major lower support marked by the pronounced late-July downside spike.
• Resistance 1 (160.135): The first major resistance, aligned with the nearby red and blue moving averages.
• Resistance 2 (160.960): The next resistance area, closely aligned with the magenta moving average.
• Resistance 3 (163.435–164.260): The major upper resistance zone surrounding the recent daily swing highs.

USDJPY 2-Hour Chart Analysis

(USDJPY 2-Hour Chart, Source: Ultima Markets MT5)

USDJPY is showing a short-term recovery on the 2-hour chart, with price at 159.317 holding above all three visible moving averages. The red MA16 short-term average has risen toward current price but is beginning to flatten, while the purple MA50 continues to slope higher and the blue MA100 longer-term average has flattened following its earlier decline. Price is now consolidating immediately below the recent 159.545 high after recovering from a sharp pullback toward 158.715, indicating improving buyer control but limited follow-through at resistance. RSI(14) stands at 55.02, supporting a mild positive momentum bias without showing an extreme condition. Further sideways consolidation remains possible while price stays capped beneath 159.545.

Breakout Scenarios:

• Bullish continuation is a possible scenario, triggered by a decisive break and hold above 159.545. This would expose the next visible resistance zone around 159.960–160.375.
• Bearish correction is also a possible scenario, triggered by a failure to hold 159.130 followed by a decisive breakdown below 158.715. This would shift attention toward the blue moving-average support around 158.300.

USDJPY Pivot Indicator

(USDJPY 30-Minute Chart, Source: Trading Central)

USDJPY is trading at 159.34 on the 30-minute chart, below the main pivot at 159.57, keeping the immediate M30 bias bearish. RSI is at 49.43 and remains in neutral territory, while MACD is marginally positive at 0.05 but appears to be flattening alongside its signal line. Price is consolidating close to the pivot after losing momentum near recent highs, suggesting that upside momentum is weakening without yet developing into strong downside acceleration.

• Bearish Breakdown: The bearish preference remains active while price stays below the 159.57 pivot. A further extension below 159.34 would expose 158.27 as the first downside target and 158.09 as the second. Confirmation would require RSI to weaken below its current 49.43 reading while MACD turns lower from 0.05 toward the zero line.
• Bullish Reversal: A decisive break and hold above 159.57 would shift the immediate bias bullish, opening 159.86 as the first upside target followed by 160.04. Confirmation would require RSI to rise from 49.43 while MACD strengthens from 0.05 and maintains positive momentum above its signal line.

Disclaimer Comments, news, research, analysis, price, and all information contained in the article only serve as general information for readers and do not suggest any advice. Ultima Markets has taken reasonable measures to provide up-to-date information, but cannot guarantee accuracy, and may modify without notice. Ultima Markets will not be responsible for any loss incurred due to the application of the information provided.