Summary of Bank of Japan meeting suggests further interest rate hikes

PANews, December 29—According to Golden Ten Data, some members of the Bank of Japan stated at a meeting earlier this month that Japan's real interest rates remain very low, indicating the possibility of further rate hikes. According to a summary of opinions released on Monday from the two-day meeting that ended on December 19, one of the nine committee members said, "Japan's real policy interest rate is currently at the lowest level in the world. It is appropriate for the Bank of Japan to adjust the degree of monetary easing." The summary clearly shows that the Bank of Japan's policy rate has not yet reached a neutral level. One member pointed out, "It can be said that there is still a considerable distance from the neutral interest rate level."