Latest news with #UedaKazuo
NHK
27-05-2025
- Business
- NHK
BOJ chief to cautiously weigh rate hike amid uncertainty
The Bank of Japan chief has suggested again that the bank will cautiously weigh a further rate hike amid extremely high uncertainty. BOJ Governor Ueda Kazuo was speaking at an international conference in Tokyo attended by other countries' central-bankers. Ueda said inflation in Japan has picked up again, driven primarily by higher prices of food, most notably rice. He said the bank will "adjust the degree of monetary easing" if incoming data provide a reason for greater confidence that economic activity and prices are improving. At the same time, the BOJ chief pointed to growing uncertainty, particularly that related to trade policy, in an apparent reference to US tariff measures. In a transcript of his speech, Ueda confirmed that the bank would judge, "without any preconceptions," whether its outlook for the economy and inflation will be realized. That statement suggested that the bank will continue to cautiously assess the tariffs' impact on the economy and prices in its decision on whether to further hike interest rates.
NHK
30-04-2025
- Business
- NHK
BOJ policy board expected to lean toward keeping key interest rate unchanged
Policymakers at Japan's central bank are expected to lean toward keeping the key policy interest rate unchanged at their current meeting due to US tariff measures and other factors. The present rate stands at around 0.5 percent. The Bank of Japan opened its two-day policy board meeting on Wednesday. Nine senior BOJ officials, including Governor Ueda Kazuo, are believed to have discussed economic and price trends on the first day. Prices have recently been on the rise in Japan owing to widespread wage hikes especially at large companies. Another factor is rising prices of rice and other products. However, a growing number of BOJ officials say the pace of future economic growth and price increases could become slower than forecasts given up to now. They say the imposition of tariffs by the US could prompt Japanese businesses to cut back on their exports and investments. Financial markets also remain volatile. Japan and the US have already entered into tariff negotiations. On the other hand, friction between Washington and Beijing remains high. It is unclear to what extent the impact of US tariffs will escalate. Analysts are closely watching how the BOJ policymakers will assess the impact of US tariffs. Attention is also focused on how they will steer their future monetary policy.
