BOJ May Hike Rate to 0.5% by Year-End, Ex-BOJ's Masai Says

Japan’s central bank has scope to hike its benchmark rate to as high as 0.5% by the end of the year if economic conditions stay more or less on the same track, according to a former member of the Bank of Japan’s policy board.

BNN Bloomberg20:58 ET

The Bank of Japan faces a dilemma: as the path of inflation fluctuates, interest rate hikes will weaken the economy

Japan's CPI declined somewhat in April as record wage increases were not reflected in overall prices; the Bank of Japan faced the challenge of gradually weakening while the path of inflation was still uncertain; the dollar rose again against the yen, but gains were suppressed.

FX678 FinanceMay 24 05:50 ET

Japanese Yen Struggles After Inflation Ebbs Further in April

The Japanese yen fell against the US dollar and most other major currencies in early European trade on Friday after inflation moderated in line with expectations for April, potentially undermining the prospect of another rate rise from the Bank of Japan.

MT NewswiresMay 24 04:38 ET

Japan Inflation Decelerates in April; Central Bank Mulls Options

Japan's headline inflation rate posted up 2.5% in April on year, down from 2.7% in March, and possibly raising a quandary for the Bank of Japan, which has been considering "normalizing" the central bank's present accommodative monetary policies.

MT NewswiresMay 24 04:18 ET

Japan's inflation has subsided; which two data may be boosted in the future?

Japan's inflation has cooled for the second month in a row, but it is still above the Bank of Japan's target price. Consumer prices excluding fresh food rose 2.2% year over year in April, which is in line with analysts' estimates. The indicator remained at or above the Bank of Japan's 2% target for the 25th consecutive month. The Bank of Japan emphasized that service prices were a key factor in its policy review, rising 1.7% year over year, and moderating from 2.1% last month. Bloomberg Economics said that Japan's inflation may be boosted in the future by wage increases and rising utility costs.

FX678 FinanceMay 24 02:08 ET

Japan Consumer Inflation Grows at Slower Pace in April -- Update

Japan's consumer inflation grew at a slower pace in April, but remained above the Bank of Japan's 2% target amid growing expectations over additional interest-rate increases.

WSJMay 23 22:43 ET