A: Hey there! Any idea what the BOJ chief was talking about at that conference?

B: Not really, what did he discuss?

A: Well, Kazuo Ueda mentioned that inflation in Japan is up again, mainly due to higher food prices like rice. But he also warned about trade policy uncertainties, possibly referring to US tariffs.

B: And what's the bank planning to do with this info?

A: He said they might adjust the degree of monetary easing if the data shows a solid improvement in economic activity and prices. But he also made it clear that they'll be careful, considering all the uncertainty.

B: So, they're going to evaluate the tariff impact before making any decisions about raising interest rates, right?

A: Exactly! They promised to do so without any preconceptions. Sounds like they want to make sure they don't rush into anything.
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The Bank of Japan chief has suggested again that the bank will cautiously weigh a further rate hike amid extremely high uncertainty.



BOJ Governor Ueda Kazuo was speaking at an international conference in Tokyo attended by other countries' central-bankers.



Ueda said inflation in Japan has picked up again, driven primarily by higher prices of food, most notably rice.



He said the bank will "adjust the degree of monetary easing" if incoming data provide a reason for greater confidence that economic activity and prices are improving.



At the same time, the BOJ chief pointed to growing uncertainty, particularly that related to trade policy, in an apparent reference to US tariff measures.



In a transcript of his speech, Ueda confirmed that the bank would judge, "without any preconceptions," whether its outlook for the economy and inflation will be realized. That statement suggested that the bank will continue to cautiously assess the tariffs' impact on the economy and prices in its decision on whether to further hike interest rates.