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BoJ Governor Ueda says there are possibilities of a rate hike if either upward risks to prices emerge or downside risks to the economy are limited

Importance
Level 1
  • By June, probably no big upward pressure appears in consumer price data. 
  • It is possible to decide before confirming upward price pressure in price data.
  • Communicating closely with government on monetary policy.
  • When asked if a rate hike is not possible while the Strait of Hormuz is closed, the decision would depend on inflation risks and the economy beyond that. 
  • Not thinking there is a high likelihood of the current situation resembling the early 1970s.
  • If the trend inflation overshoots by 2% by a big margin, then strong tightening could be required.
  • In the process of adjusting rates towards neutral, all other conditions being equal.
  • Japan's exposure to private credit is not big; it requires caution, given transparency in the sector is low.
  • Unless significant downside pressure to the economy, a rate hike is possible.
  • Rate hike decision and QT adjustment will be separate.