Former BOJ Official Predicts No Further Rate Hikes This Year

Makoto Sakurai cites market instability and slow economic recovery as key reasons for the pause.

The BOJ raised its key interest rate to 0.25% in July, the first increase in over a decade.
Market turmoil followed the rate hike, impacting both the yen and risk assets like Bitcoin.
Deputy Governor Uchida assured that further hikes would be avoided during unstable market conditions.
Sakurai criticized Governor Ueda's communication strategy, emphasizing the need for clearer messaging on monetary policy.
The BOJ is shifting from excessive to appropriate monetary easing, but faces scrutiny from political and market observers.