TOKYO (Kyodo) – Bank of Japan Policy Board member Ayano Sato said she supports gradual increases in the central bank's policy rate, signaling that she remains open to backing further rate hikes.
Speaking in an interview, Sato, a new member of the nine-person board, expressed support for a step-by-step path of rate increases, even though she previously opposed a rate hike at the September policy meeting.
Sato's stance comes as markets closely watch the Bank of Japan for signals on the timing and pace of monetary policy normalization, after years of keeping interest rates low.
Her support for gradual rate hikes suggests an internal consensus on the board's direction, though differences remain over the pace and specific timing of each adjustment.
