Source: Insider According to sources familiar with the matter, the Bank of Japan may hold off on raising interest rates at its April meeting.

BlockBeats News, April 20th, According to five sources familiar with the Bank of Japan's thinking, the Bank of Japan is unlikely to raise interest rates next week. The hope for a quick end to the Middle East conflict is fading, leaving Japan's economic and price outlook still full of uncertainty.

Although the final decision still carries some uncertainty and will depend on the progress of U.S.-Iran peace talks, the sources mentioned above stated that the central bank is inclined to maintain the status quo this month to allow more time to assess the impact of the conflict. One of the sources stated: "Given the current level of uncertainty, the Bank of Japan may see maintaining the status quo this month as viable."

Another source expressed a similar view. A third individual stated that the Bank of Japan is unlikely to raise interest rates because the market has already fully priced in the possibility of no rate hike this month. These sources mentioned that even if the Bank of Japan keeps rates unchanged next week, due to the escalating inflationary pressures, the bank is likely to signal readiness to raise rates as early as June. (Kyodo)