Expert Predicts Japan's Central Bank Rate Hike in April Due to Energy Prices

Marcel Thieliant, head of Asia-Pacific at Capital Economics, has indicated that the Bank of Japan is likely to use rising energy prices as a rationale for an interest rate hike in April. According to Jin10, Thieliant does not anticipate a rate increase in March, noting that financial markets have priced in a minimal chance of a hike at next week's meeting. Despite recent increases in crude oil prices, Thieliant believes inflation will not reach levels intolerable for the Bank of Japan. However, he suggests that underlying inflation appears more resilient than the central bank's expectations. Thieliant forecasts that the policy rate will be raised to 1.0% in April rather than June, with an expectation that the rate will reach 1.75% by the end of 2027, surpassing general market predictions.