Bank of Japan

Tokyo inflation jumps to 2.7%, driving case for another BOJ hike

Held its policy rate at 1.25% on October 30 and declared underlying inflation generally consistent with its 2% target for the first time since 2013

The Bank of Japan held its policy rate at 1.25% on October 30 and said for the first time since adopting a 2% inflation target in 2013 that underlying inflation was generally consistent with it. The board voted 8-1, with Hajime Takata dissenting in favor of a rise to 1.5%.

Updated 6 days ago

Japan household spending falls for ninth straight month

Money Moves

Held its policy rate at 1.25% on October 30 in an 8-1 vote and said underlying inflation is generally consistent with its 2% target; Governor Ueda said the target is not yet sustainably achieved.

Japan's households cut spending for a ninth straight month in August, with inflation-adjusted outlays down 3.1% from a year earlier. On October 30, the Bank of Japan held its policy rate at 1.25% and said underlying inflation is generally consistent with its 2% target.

Updated Nov 2

Bank of Japan raises rates to 31-year high

Rule Changes

Holding at 1.25% after October 30; says further hikes are possible every few months

The Bank of Japan held its benchmark rate at 1.25% on October 30, by an 8-1 vote. Board member Hajime Takata dissented, wanting a hike to 1.5%.

Updated Oct 30

Bank of Japan's market operations track the unwinding of its easing era

Money Moves

As of August 2026: Conducts daily market operations; normalizing policy since March 2024

Every business day the Bank of Japan releases a two-page table showing how it managed the roughly ¥550 trillion that Japanese banks hold on deposit at the central bank. The August 24, 2026 statement is one entry in that record — a routine liquidity operation, unremarkable on its own.

Updated Aug 24

BOJ pushes rates to 0.75%: Japan’s “free money” era starts getting expensive

Rule Changes

As of May 2026: Tightening policy and tapering bond purchases after decades of ultra-easy settings

Japan's shift away from ultra-easy money is now colliding with the currency market. After raising rates to 0.75% on December 19, 2025, Governor Kazuo Ueda stressed real rates remain 'very low' or negative and the BOJ will pace tightening while responding flexibly to exceptional long-term yield moves.

Updated May 15