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Cynthia Li
For Cynthia Li's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda hinted at a chance of a rate hike in the second half of this year by highlighting the likelihood of improvement in the price trend.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 18, 2024
More economists see BOJ rate hike in October, flag July risk
All 54 economists except for one predict no policy change at the central bank’s two-day meeting ending on April 26.
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo. More than a quarter of 47 economists surveyed by Bloomberg said the bank will raise the policy rate again in October while 23% said the hike will come in July.
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 22, 2024
BOJ watchers see next rate hike by October and risk of faster moves
More than a quarter of 47 economists surveyed said the bank will raise the policy rate again in October, while 23% said the hike will come in July.
Some 38% of Bank of Japan watchers in a survey believe the central bank will end its negative rates next week.
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 12, 2024
Half of BOJ watchers still see April rate hike while bets on March move jump
The proportion of 50 economists forecasting an end to the world’s last negative rate in April slipped to 54% in the latest survey from 59% in January.
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo. None of 51 surveyed economists expects the central bank to raise its negative interest rate this month, with two-thirds forecasting a rate hike by April.
BUSINESS
Jan 17, 2024
Polled economists all see BOJ holding in January after quake
None of 51 surveyed economists expects the central bank to raise its negative interest rate this month, with two-thirds forecasting a rate hike by April.
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo. Half of the 52 economists surveyed by Bloomberg said the central bank will scrap its negative rate in April, up from 29% in the October survey.
BUSINESS
Dec 8, 2023
Most BOJ watchers predict end of negative rate regime by April
"The most beautiful scenario is the end of the negative rate in April”
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 13, 2023
BOJ watchers bring forward rate hike forecasts on Ueda’s remarks
Economists moved forward their forecasts for an end to negative interest rates after the BOJ chief touched on that possibility in an interview.
The headquarters of Bank of Japan in Tokyo. The central bank has sharply raised its inflation forecast for this fiscal year and sees risks on the upside for this year and next.
BUSINESS
Aug 1, 2023
No further BOJ policy shifts expected in 2023 after surprise tweak
A survey last week found 26% of 41 economists see next April as the most likely time for further adjustments.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 20, 2023
Most BOJ watchers expect Ueda to hold policy at first meeting
Almost 40% of economists see June as the most likely time for a policy change, largely in line with the previous survey last month.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 3, 2023
BOJ watchers see higher chance of June shift after Kazuo Ueda hearings
Some 41% of BOJ watchers expect a tightening step to take place in June according to a recent survey.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 13, 2023
BOJ watchers see earlier policy shift after December’s surprise
While a survey of 43 economists showed all but one predicting the central bank to leave policy unchanged next week, some 38% of respondents now forecast moves either in April or June.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 14, 2022
Bank of Japan policy review likely in 2023, economists say
All 47 economists polled expect no change in the BOJ's negative interest rate and yield curve control program at the end of the two-day gathering on Dec. 20.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 16, 2022
BOJ Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda seen sitting tight even after jumbo Fed hike
Most BOJ watchers are convinced Kuroda won't raise rates to cool the rapid weakening of the yen.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 25, 2022
Bank of Japan chief would hold easing policy even if inflation hits 3%, survey shows
Most analysts said that a further acceleration to 3%, the highest since 1991 excluding tax-hike years, wouldn't increase the likelihood of policy change before Kuroda's term ends in April.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 15, 2022
More BOJ watchers see Kuroda staying course with ultralow rates
Despite a further slide in the yen this week and central banks around the world continuing to surprise with outsized rate hikes, some see the BOJ cementing its outlier status even further.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 7, 2021
Japan expected to deliver at least ¥20 trillion in new stimulus
The new spending would come as Suga looks to shore up support amid widespread dissatisfaction with his handling of the virus and a vaccine rollout that's lagged other developed nations.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 14, 2020
BOJ seen extending pandemic-fighting programs this week, according to survey
All but one economist projected the BOJ will make no change to its interest rates, forward guidance or key asset-purchase program.

Longform

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