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Bank of Japan set to raise interest rates in December
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The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is expected to raise interest rates in December, with the government likely to accept the move, according to three government sources familiar with the discussions, News.Az reports, citing Reuters.

The central bank appears poised to increase its policy rate from 0.5% to 0.75%, a step previously hinted at by Governor Kazuo Ueda in a speech on Monday. 

If implemented, this would mark the BOJ’s first rate hike since January.

"If the BOJ wants to raise rates this month, please make your own decision. That's the government's stance," said one of the sources, adding ⁠it was nearly certain the ‌bank will proceed with a hike this month.

The administration is prepared to tolerate a December hike, another source said. The sources ‍spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak publicly.

Ueda said on Monday the BOJ will consider the "pros and cons" of raising rates this month, signaling a strong ​chance of a hike at the December 18-19 meeting.

The remarks led the market ‌to price in a roughly 80% chance of a December rate hike, though some market players focused on how the administration of dovish Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi could react.

Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said on Tuesday she saw no gap between the government and the BOJ on their assessment of the economy, when asked about Ueda's ⁠remarks.

Even reflationist aides of Takaichi have not expressed ​opposition, including government panel member Toshihiro Nagahama who ​told Reuters on Wednesday the premier may accept a December hike if the yen stayed weak.

The BOJ's board is expected to make ‍a final decision after ⁠scrutinising upcoming data on domestic wage developments, the U.S. Federal Reserve's policy decision next week and its impact on financial markets.

The market's focus will likely ⁠shift to the central bank's messaging on how far it will eventually raise interest rates, a ‌topic Ueda remains ambiguous about.


News.Az 

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