Bank Of Japan Keeps Interest Rates Unchanged, Policymakers Wary About Impact Of US Tariffs

<p>The Bank of Japan (BOJ) decided to keep interest rates unchanged on Wednesday, as expected, allowing more time for policymakers assess how potential higher US tariffs could impact the country’s export-driven economy.</p>
<p>The decision came despite signs of progress toward achieving the central bank&rsquo;s 2 per cent inflation target, as concerns over a global economic slowdown weighed on policymakers, reported Reuters.</p>
<p>The BOJ highlighted conflicting economic forces at play. While rising rice prices were expected to push inflation higher, uncertainty surrounding global trade policies clouded Japan&rsquo;s economic outlook.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Concerning risks to the outlook, there remain high uncertainties surrounding Japan’s economy and prices including the evolving situation regarding trade and other policies in each jurisdiction,” the central bank stated. Having raised rates in January, the BOJ&rsquo;s board unanimously voted to maintain the short-term policy rate at 0.5 per cent following a two-day meeting.</p>
<h3><strong>Inflation Pressures Build as Trade Tensions Loom</strong></h3>
<p>Market reaction to the decision remained muted, with the dollar stabilising around &yen;149.50. Analysts continued to weigh the impact of persistent inflation against growing trade concerns. &ldquo;Persistent price pressures warrant further monetary tightening in Japan, but growth risks are building as well. Trade tensions leave a cloud over Japan’s export outlook, and it is not clear yet whether Japanese consumers will step up purchases on the back of higher wages,&rdquo; said Fred Neumann, chief Asia economist at HSBC in Hong Kong. He added that another rate hike was a matter of &ldquo;when&rdquo; rather than &ldquo;if,&rdquo; possibly as early as June.</p>
<p>The BOJ&rsquo;s meeting took place just hours ahead of the US Federal Reserve&rsquo;s decision, which is also expected to maintain interest rates while monitoring how upcoming US tariff hikes would unfold.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Japan’s economy is recovering moderately, albeit with some weak signs,” the BOJ noted in its statement. It reiterated that consumer spending showed a moderate upward trend.</p>
<p>The central bank observed that rising rice prices and the diminishing effects of fuel subsidies are expected to drive inflation higher through fiscal 2025. The BOJ&rsquo;s next quarterly outlook, set for release on May 1, could reflect an upward revision in its price forecast.</p>
<p>Policymakers stressed that further rate hikes would depend on inflation being driven by solid wage growth and domestic consumption rather than temporary cost increases in raw materials.</p>
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<h3>Exports And Imports</h3>
<p>Recent wage negotiations between large Japanese firms and labour unions resulted in substantial pay raises for the third consecutive year. This development supported the BOJ&rsquo;s view that sustainable wage growth would help maintain inflation at around 2 per cent.</p>
<p>However, global trade uncertainties continued to pose risks. The US recently increased tariffs on steel and aluminium imports to 25 per cent, effective last week, without exemptions.</p>
<p>Further tariff announcements, including on automobiles, are expected on April 2. These policies raised concerns about a possible recession in the American economy, which could negatively affect Japan due to its export-dependent nature.</p>
<p>Despite an 11.4 per cent rise in exports in February compared to the previous year, Japan&rsquo;s core machinery orders&mdash;an indicator of capital spending&mdash;declined by 3.5 per cent in January, signaling caution among businesses.</p>
<p>The BOJ planned to review its growth and price projections at its April 30-May 1 meeting, a key moment in determining the timing and pace of future rate adjustments.&nbsp;Following last year&rsquo;s decision to end its long-standing stimulus program, the BOJ raised short-term interest rates to 0.5 per cent in January. It has indicated further hikes could be on the way if economic conditions align with projections.</p>