Bank of Japan set to hold rates steady amid yen weakness

0 January 22, 2026 23:30

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is set to keep interest rates steady on Friday (Jan 23) when it meets, but it may hint at more hikes at future meetings and signal cautious optimism that the economy will maintain a moderate recovery that would justify raising borrowing costs further. This is despite Japanese government bonds remaining volatile and the yen remaining weak. It also comes as Prime Minister Sakae Takaichi is set to dissolve parliament ahead of a snap election next month. Dr Sayuri Shirai, economics professor at Keio University and former BOJ board member, shares with CNA’s Asia First her thoughts on why the bank is not rushing into another rate hike.

Subscribe to our channel here: https://cna.asia/youtubesub

Visit our website: https://cna.asia
Download our app: https://cna.asia/app

Get our editors’ picks of stories via chat apps:
Telegram: https://cna.asia/telegram
WhatsApp: https://cna.asia/whatsapp

Follow us on these platforms:
https://www.facebook.com/channelnewsasia
https://www.instagram.com/channelnewsasia
https://www.tiktok.com/@channelnewsasia