【海外观潮】 日本央行仍有加息可能

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the articles indicates that Japan's inflation is persistently above the Bank of Japan's target, with the CPI rising 3.6% year-on-year in March, marking 36 consecutive months above the 2% target [1] - The core CPI in March also increased by 3.2%, remaining elevated for 43 months, suggesting a sustained inflationary environment that supports the possibility of further interest rate hikes by the central bank [1] - The latest data shows that the core CPI in Tokyo rose by 3.4% in April, indicating ongoing inflationary pressures, particularly driven by rising wages [2] Group 2 - Japan's GDP has shown resilience, growing by 2.9% annually, with exports increasing for six consecutive months, reflecting strong economic activity supported by both domestic and external demand [3] - The services sector PMI has remained robust, providing a counterbalance to the manufacturing sector, which is still below the growth threshold [3] - The Bank of Japan has adjusted its economic outlook, lowering GDP growth forecasts for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, while also revising down its core CPI expectations, indicating a cautious approach to monetary policy [5] Group 3 - The yen has become the best-performing currency among G10 currencies this year, attracting international investment, despite the ongoing depreciation against the dollar due to significant interest rate differentials [4] - The potential for further interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan remains, although the pace may be influenced by external factors such as U.S. tariff policies, which introduce uncertainty into Japan's economic outlook [4][5] - The Bank of Japan has not indicated a halt to interest rate increases, with the governor emphasizing that further hikes could occur if economic growth and inflation align with expectations [5]