BOJ Deputy Governor Himino Warns Against Delaying Interest Rate Hikes

Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino warned against delaying monetary policy normalization, citing upside inflation risks as underlying inflation nears the 2% target. Speaking in parliament, Himino noted that financial conditions remain accommodative despite September's rate hike to 1.25%. While markets have virtually priced out a move at the October 30 meeting, traders assign an estimated 74% probability to a December hike. Furthermore, a Reuters poll revealed nearly 70% of economists anticipate the policy rate reaching 1.50% this quarter, with 80% expecting the move to take place in December.