USD/JPY gains ground for first session in three

USD/JPY tilted higher in Asian trade away from March 29 lows following earlier data from Japan and ahead of US data and speeches by Fed officials. 

As of 06:50 GMT, USD/JPY rose 0.05% to 109.80, with an intraday high at 109.90.

From Japan, the leading index rose to 99.7 from 98.5 in January, matching expectations. 

From the US, the goods trade balance is expected to show a deficit of $67.5 billion, up from $66.6 billion in January.

Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Charles Evans is due to speak about economic outlook and monetary policy at an online event hosted by Prairie State College.

Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Thomas Barkin will speak about the economy and monetary policy at an online event hosted by the Global Interdependence Center.

The Federal Reserve will release minutes of the last policy meeting, at which policymakers voted to maintain current interest rates near zero and the bonds purchases program at over $120 billion.