Japan 10Y Yield Eases as BOJ Holds Rates

Japan’s 10-year government bond yield slipped below 2.8% on Friday after the Bank of Japan left its policy rate unchanged at 1%, in line with expectations, keeping borrowing costs at their highest level since September 1995 following a 25-basis-point rate hike in June. Policymakers nevertheless acknowledged upside inflation risks driven by demand-related price pressures linked to the conflict in the Middle East. Meanwhile, the yen rallied sharply amid suspected intervention by Tokyo, easing pressure on the BOJ to tighten monetary policy more aggressively to support the currency. Japanese financial assets have faced significant pressure this month from elevated energy prices, mounting fiscal concerns, and wide interest rate differentials, driving the yen to a 40-year low and the benchmark 10-year JGB yield to a 30-year high earlier this month.


