JPY is a safe haven for now. IMHO we are in a depression here in the US. Of course, sheeople and cheerleaders will disagree.
The deflationary pressures across the board will continue to force the USD to new historic lows, thus taking away its Leadership power.
The way, IMHO, the USD will be restored to leadership, the US will bring back the gold standard. Once that happens, then the US will be able to recover.
2.7 Trillion of "Wealth" was wipped out in the US.
Layoffs have only started, 2009 is going to the year from HELL for most who are working a 9 to 5.
IMHO, the bottom may be reached when the INDU hits 6000 or lower, sometime near 09s end. This will be the time when everyone throws in the towel, including the government and they start to re-think the Gold Standard.
The rest of the world will follow the depressionary forces in 09. I believe, based on some inside info...that Germany may also be in a Depression. Based on unemployment, GDP growth and devalutiaon of Home prices.
The Asian tigers may survive through 09, thus JPY is the best option.
1 Year depression to follow a Decade of slow growth and 1 % gains in the US stock market, that is just my call.
Question is, when does hyper inflation come into play? During the current depression or will it follow into the decade of weakness?