BOJ may be forced to hike rates rapidly if inflation accelerates, board member Masu says

FUKUI: The Bank of Japan may be forced to raise interest rates rapidly if inflation accelerates as the country’s financial conditions remain accommodative, board member Kazuyuki Masu said on Thursday.

“I am convinced the BOJ needs to raise its policy rate further as it falls solidly within the estimated range of the neutral interest rate, thereby ensuring the flexibility needed to swiftly adjust the policy rate in either direction, depending on economic conditions,” he said in a speech.