BlockBeats News, April 28th, Yuxuan Tang from J.P. Morgan Private Bank stated that the Bank of Japan, in its first formal response to the Middle East conflict and recent weakening of the yen, chose to keep interest rates unchanged. However, a vote split of 6 to 3 indicates a higher probability of a rate hike as soon as June.
This expectation has largely been priced in by the market, with the current market betting on approximately two rate hikes remaining in the year 2026. "We believe that the Bank of Japan would need to significantly surpass this magnitude threshold," she said, as Japan is currently walking on the wire of stagflation:
High energy prices, coupled with the country's low energy self-sufficiency rate among major economies, make it more vulnerable to external shocks. High-cost subsidy programs and other fiscal measures are expected to put pressure on public finances.
Against this backdrop, the Bank of Japan may need to maintain a relatively accommodative policy stance to cushion the weakened demand. (Kincentric)
