Most BOJ Watchers Expect Slower Pace in Reducing Bond Purchases

A majority of Bank of Japan watchers expect officials to slow their pace of reductions in government bond buying and keep interest rates unchanged at next week’s policy meeting, according to a Bloomberg survey.

All 53 economists forecast the BOJ to hold its benchmark rate at 0.5% at the end of a two-day meeting on June 17, the poll showed. For the central bank’s updated JGB buying plan, around 65% of survey respondents predict it’ll opt to taper bond purchases at a slower pace from April next year.