Japanese Central Bank May Consider Early Interest Rate Hike Amid Yen Depreciation

According to ChainCatcher, some policymakers at the Bank of Japan are contemplating an earlier-than-expected interest rate hike, potentially as soon as April, due to the ongoing depreciation of the yen which could exacerbate inflation pressures. The policymakers face the challenging task of increasing borrowing costs that have been low for years, amidst global economic headwinds, while Japan's economy is just beginning to recover from prolonged deflation. The central bank raised rates to a thirty-year high in December and is expected to maintain them at the upcoming January meeting. However, insiders suggest that many policymakers see room for further hikes, with some not ruling out action in April, which would be earlier than the market's expectation of a rate increase in the latter half of the year. Sources indicate that if sufficient evidence emerges showing Japan can consistently achieve its 2% inflation target, some within the Bank of Japan may consider acting sooner.