Japanese media, citing people familiar with the matter, report the Bank of Japan
could raise its policy rate again at the Sept. 17-18 policy meeting after a June
increase, citing rising inflation risks driven by rapid AI-related demand
growth, a sharp yen depreciation and higher oil prices. Markets had previously
expected roughly six-month spacing between hikes. Minutes from the BOJ’s July
30-31 meeting showed some board members urged a faster pace of tightening; one
said the pace of policy-rate increases could exceed market expectations, another
said it was necessary to speed up the adjustment of monetary easing.
