Mitsubishi UFJ: Bank of Japan Expected to Proceed Cautiously with Next Rate Hike

Odaily News Due to geopolitical uncertainties faced by central banks globally, Mitsubishi UFJ has postponed its expectation for the Bank of Japan's rate hike from the previous April to June. Analysts from the firm stated: "Given the limited hard economic data available amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, the Bank of Japan is likely to proceed cautiously." However, with Japan's inflation-adjusted interest rates still at "extremely low" levels, this should prompt Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda to indicate a readiness for monetary tightening at next week's press conference, in case inflationary pressures increase. (Jin10)