The fading shadow of reflationists in the Bank of Japan, and the latest addition to the board of an academic favouring an end to ultra-low interest rates, will likely bring the central bank's thinking closer to global peers taking a more conventional approach on monetary policy.

Japan's central bank has increased the cost of borrowing to its highest level in 17 years after consumer price rises accelerated in December. The move by the Bank of Japan (BOJ) to raise its short-term policy rate to "around 0.5 per cent" comes just hours after the latest economic data showed prices rose last month at the fastest pace in 16 months.

Core inflation in Japan's capital hit 2.5%, marking the fastest annual pace in nearly a year, well exceeding the central bank's 2% target and keeping alive market expectations for further interest rate hikes.

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. A Japanese flag flutters at the Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo on July 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Shuji ...

TOKYO (Reuters) -- Japan's government on Tuesday nominated Junko Koeda, an academic who had warned of the cost of prolonged monetary easing, to join the Bank of Japan board in March, a choice ...

The Bank of Japan has raised short-term interest rates by a quarter point, the highest in 17 years, signalling efforts to normalise monetary policy in response to persistent inflation and increasing wages.

In a well-trailed move, the Bank of Japan on Friday raised the policy rate by 0.25 percentage points, taking it to 0.5 per cent — its highest level in nearly two decades.

Japan's government on Tuesday nominated Junko Koeda, an academic who had warned of the cost of prolonged monetary easing, to join the Bank of Japan board in March, a choice analysts say will keep the central bank on course to raise interest rates.

Japan's central bank has raised its key interest rate to about 0.5% from 0.25%, noting that inflation is holding at a desirable target level TOKYO -- The Bank of Japan raised its key interest rate ...

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TOKYO (AP) — The Bank of Japan raised its key interest rate to about 0.5% from 0.25% Friday, noting that inflation is holding at a desirable target level. “The economy is gradually recovering ...

Nomura's Rob Subbaraman discusses expectations of Bank of Japan's rate hike path including two major risks if the central bank hikes too fast or too far.