BOJ likely to hike rates to 1.5% under Ueda, former board member predicts

Group 1 - The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is expected to raise its benchmark interest rate at least four more times to 1.5% before Governor Kazuo Ueda's term ends in early 2028 [1] - The next rate hike is anticipated to occur either in October or December, influenced by the upcoming quarterly "tankan" business survey [3] - A majority of economists expect another 25-basis-point hike by the year-end, although some believe it may not happen until January [4] Group 2 - Japan's economy is performing well, with large companies benefiting from price hikes and a weak yen boosting exports [2] - The BOJ raised its short-term policy rate to 0.5% in January but has maintained steady rates to assess the impact of U.S. tariffs [2] - The U.S. administration's weak-dollar policy may increase pressure on the BOJ to raise rates steadily [5] Group 3 - The recent dissent from two of the BOJ's board members regarding the decision to keep rates steady may signal an approaching rate hike [4] - The Federal Reserve's rate cuts and the BOJ's potential rate hikes are likely to result in a stronger yen against the dollar [6]