Dovish BOJ policymaker Asada pushes back against early rate hike

What happened: BOJ policymaker Toichiro Asada spoke against calls within the board for a near-term rate hike, saying premature hikes could hurt growth and push down underlying inflation. Key numbers: BOJ inflation target is 2 per cent. Asada dissented on rate hikes in June and September. Real wages turned positive since the turn of 2026. Why it matters: Asada said growth and consumption have lacked momentum and that recent price increases were not necessarily demand driven, so he called for the Bank to weigh the pace of any rate hikes.

BOJ policymaker Toichiro Asada spoke against calls within the board for a near-term rate hike, saying premature hikes could hurt growth and push down underlying inflation.

Asada said growth and consumption have lacked momentum and that recent price increases were not necessarily demand driven, so he called for the Bank to weigh the pace of any rate hikes.