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BOJ’s Koeda Backs Further Tightening, Urges Predictable Balance‑Sheet Normalisation

She cites inflation near 2% to justify a data‑dependent push toward equilibrium real rates.

The Japanese national flag waves at the Bank of Japan building in Tokyo, Japan March 18, 2024. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Japanese national flag hoisted atop of the Bank of Japan headquarters building is seen between traffic signals in Tokyo, Japan January 23, 2025.  REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo

Overview

  • Koeda said interest rates should keep rising to prevent future distortions, pointing to underlying inflation around 2% and tight labour conditions.
  • She called for a predictable plan to normalise the BOJ’s balance sheet, including reassessing the size and composition of its assets and liabilities.
  • She said policymakers will closely track wage and price setting, foreign‑exchange movements, and import prices to judge whether expectations remain anchored.
  • She warned that elevated rice and broader food costs could generate second‑round effects and flagged US tariff policy as a risk to Japan’s outlook.
  • The policy rate stands at 0.5%, and she has voted to keep it unchanged at each of the five meetings since joining the board in March.