BOJ’s Takata Says Timing of Next Rate Increase Still Open

Bank of Japan Policy Board member Takata said on 3 July that the central bank has no predetermined timetable for its next interest-rate increase, adding that he “can’t say with any pre-conception” how long officials might wait before acting again. Takata also noted that it is “hard to pin-point” Japan’s neutral rate of interest, stressing that the BOJ is not steering policy toward a specific numerical target. Asked about the likelihood of another rate hike before year-end, he replied that the board has formed no prior view.