Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda, speaking at a Tokyo conference, indicated that the central bank plans to increase interest rates as the economy continues to improve. Ueda emphasized that the timing of any adjustment to monetary policy would be dependent on economic conditions, inflation, and the momentum for wage increases. He expressed hopes for a balanced rise in wages and prices this year, while urging vigilance in determining the timing for adjusting monetary support. In a separate development, Japan's Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato warned against speculative yen selling, expressing concern over sudden and one-sided moves in the currency market after the yen hit a 6-month low at USD/JPY 158.40. Kato stated that the government is prepared to take action against excessive volatility, following verbal intervention.