BOJ may raise rates in October even if Takaichi wins leadership race, says ex-central bank official

Monetary Policy Outlook - The Bank of Japan (BOJ) may raise interest rates in October, regardless of the outcome of the ruling party's leadership race, particularly if Sanae Takaichi becomes the next premier [1][2] - Former BOJ executive Tomoyuki Shimoda believes that Takaichi's potential victory will have a limited impact on monetary policy, despite her advocacy for increased fiscal spending [2][3] Currency and Economic Impact - A weak yen, which boosts exports, raises concerns for policymakers due to increased import costs and persistent inflation above the BOJ's 2% target [3][4] - The yen falling below 150 to the dollar could provoke complaints from the U.S. administration, which favors a weak-dollar policy to enhance U.S. exports [4] Economic Indicators - The BOJ is expected to raise rates at its meeting on October 29-30 if stock prices remain stable and the "tankan" business sentiment survey does not show significant deterioration [4][5] - Corporate profits are stable, and structural labor shortages are likely to drive wage increases, contributing to sustained inflation [5] Market Expectations - A Reuters poll indicates that a majority of economists anticipate a 25-basis-point rate hike by year-end, with opinions divided on the timing, focusing on October and January [6] - Takaichi is associated with an "Abenomics"-style approach, which combines fiscal and monetary stimulus, while her main rival, Shinjiro Koizumi, has unclear views on BOJ policy [6][7] Historical Context - The BOJ ended its extensive stimulus program last year and raised short-term rates to 0.5% in January, believing Japan was close to achieving its 2% inflation target [7]