BOJ Rate Hike Prospects Diminish as Middle East Tensions Roil Markets

12 articles · Updated · The Business Times · Apr 13

The Bank of Japan is increasingly likely to hold interest rates steady at its April meeting amid intensifying Middle East geopolitical risks.
Rising oil prices and a weak yen have complicated the policy outlook, with market expectations for a rate hike dropping from 60% to 44%.
The BOJ faces a dilemma between curbing inflation and supporting fragile economic growth as uncertainty from the Iran conflict clouds decision-making.

Can Japan's economy withstand a rate hike if the Middle East ceasefire collapses?

Has the Middle East conflict given the BOJ the perfect excuse to delay normalization?

Is the Bank of Japan's independence truly at risk from political pressure for low rates?

If the yen is a global 'risk switch,' what happens when the BOJ fails to act?

How long can the Bank of Japan ignore a weak yen before import costs cripple consumers?