USD/JPY backs off month high

USD/JPY tilted lower in Asian trade off October 20 highs following earlier data from Japan and ahead of US data today. 

As of 06:55 GMT, USD/JPY slipped 0.18% to 104.01, with an intraday low at 103.96. 

From Japan, the trade surplus rose to 873 billion yen from 688 billion, beating estimates of 250 billion.

Japan's exports fell 0.2%, compared to a 4.9% tumble in September, while imports fell 13.3%. 

From the US, housing starts are expected up to 1.45 million units from 1.42 million, while building permits are expected up to 1.57 million units. 

Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams is due to speak at a webinar hosted by the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing today.