Nikkei reports the Bank of Japan intends to hold its policy rate at 1% at the July 30-31 meeting; a majority of the nine-member policy board is expected to vote to maintain rates. Board members broadly view financial conditions as accommodative and acknowledge a case for further rate hikes to stabilise inflation, but many say there is no urgency to act. Some members had pushed for a follow-up increase in July after June’s hike; the BOJ is closely monitoring the effects of June’s move amid Middle

Nikkei reports the Bank of Japan intends to hold its policy rate at 1% at the July 30-31 meeting; a majority of the nine-member policy board is expected to vote to maintain rates. Board members broadly view financial conditions as accommodative and acknowledge a case for further rate hikes to stabilise inflation, but many say there is no urgency to act. Some members had pushed for a follow-up increase in July after June’s hike; the BOJ is closely monitoring the effects of June’s move amid Middle East tensions and oil-price inflation risk. The committee may raise its fiscal 2026 median real GDP growth forecast from April’s 0.5% as economic conditions have improved — alternative Middle East oil supplies have increased, corporate output concerns have eased, and AI-related sectors have outperformed expectations, supporting growth.