Former Bank of Japan Board Member Takako Masai: Trump's Tariffs Have Halted the BOJ's Rate Hike Cycle

BlockBeats News, June 12 — Former Bank of Japan (BOJ) member Takako Masai stated on Thursday that U.S. President Trump's tariffs might have already brought Japan's rate hike cycle to an end. With exports expected to take a hit, the likelihood of further rate increases is rapidly diminishing. Masai, who remains closely connected with current policymakers, mentioned that the uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policies is causing significant disruptions to the global economy, potentially impacting Japan's exports, production, wage growth, and consumption. Given the critical role the automotive industry plays in Japan's economy, U.S. auto tariffs are particularly damaging. She remarked, "The real test for the Japanese economy might come in 2026," as the impact of U.S. tariffs begins to manifest within six to twelve months. "The BOJ may not be able to raise rates for quite a long time," she added. (Jin10)