TOKYO: The yen’s plunge to a five-year low shows no signs of easing as surging commodity prices have worsened the outlook for Japan’s trade balance and put pressure on the currency’s haven credentials.

       The nation is a net importer of a long list of raw materials from crude oil and grains to metals, exposing it to higher costs as prices of all these have risen due to sanctions imposed on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

       Japan posted its sixth straight monthly trade deficit in January, with the shortfall climbing to an eight-year high of 2.2 trillion yen (US$18.7bil or RM78.61bil). February numbers are due tomorrow.

       The yen’s decline this year is even more striking given that it typically benefits in times of risk aversion. The currency has dropped against more than half of its Group-of-10 peers in the past month even as the conflict in Ukraine set off a flight to safety among global investors.

       “Japan relies on importing all these commodities, which are essential,” said Daisaku Ueno, chief currency strategist at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Co in Tokyo.

       “As a fallout from the war in Ukraine, Japan is facing increased demand for dollars that’s irrelevant of risk sentiment.”

       The yen is likely to drop a further 1% to 118.66 per dollar in coming months, Ueno said. That would match one of its most significant lows set in December 2016.

       It headed for a sixth straight day of losses yesterday, sliding as much as 0.5% to 117.88, the weakest level since January 2017.

       “Momentum for dollar-yen is clearly to the upside after failing to strengthen below 114, and it can rise to 118.66 in the next one or two months,” said Yukio Ishizuki, a senior currency strategist at Daiwa Securities Group Inc in Tokyo.

       “It’s difficult to see sanctions on Russia eased and commodities prices are likely to stay elevated, which puts the yen at the mercy of ballooning trade deficits.”

       The yen usually benefits during times of risk aversion as speculators cut back the short positions that they have built up during more positive periods. — Bloomberg