The BOJ is expected to hold rates at 0.75% as the Iran war clouds its tightening path, with Governor Ueda’s press conference the key watch for signals on the next hike.
The BOJ is expected to hold rates at 0.75% as the Iran war clouds its tightening path, with Governor Ueda’s press conference the key watch for signals on the next hike. Earlier: Do you know what time the BoJ announcement is?
Read on! BOJ expected hold but deliver hawkish signal on June move BOJ may lean more hawkish – Nomura USD/JPY firms BoJ preview: no change expected Preview: Bank of Japan rate decision knife-edge, Japan inflation runs hotter than expected Summary The BOJ is widely expected to keep its policy rate at 0.75% at the conclusion of its two-day April meeting, with the decision due between 0230 and 0330 GMT. Officials see little need to rush a hike while the economic outlook remains highly fluid due to the Middle East situation, though they remain committed to raising borrowing costs in time, according to Bloomberg sources Hawkish board member Hajime Takata is expected to again propose raising the rate to 1.0%, though the board is likely to reject the move as it has done at the past two meetings.
WTI crude is hovering around $100 per barrel, raising inflation concerns as the oil shock from the U.S.-Iran-Israel conflict deepens. The BOJ is set to cut its fiscal 2026 growth forecast and sharply revise up its inflation outlook in its quarterly report, with rising oil-related costs already prompting some firms to consider price hikes. Governor Ueda holds a press conference at 0630 GMT, with analysts saying he must signal readiness to continue hiking to prevent further yen weakness.