The BOJ kept interest rates steady at the Dec. 18-19 meeting on the view it needed more time to scrutinise wage developments and U.S. economic policy. It raised rates to 0.5 per cent from 0.25 per ...

BOJ executives probably want to raise short-term rates at least to 1.5% by the end of fiscal 2026, so they have scope to reduce borrowing costs when the economy faces another downturn, Sakurai said.