BOJ Signals Chance of Rate Hike Next Month Over Inflation Risks

The Bank of Japan signaled the possibility of a hike to its benchmark rate next month with a summary of views from last month’s board meeting that conveyed concerns over upside inflation risks stemming from the conflict in the Middle East.

“It is quite possible that the bank will raise the policy interest rate from the next monetary policy meeting onward, even if the future course of the situation in the Middle East remains unclear,” one board member said, according to a summary of opinions from the April meeting released Tuesday.