Japan's economy minister says up to BOJ to decide 'specific monetary policy means'

Group 1 - Japan's economic revitalisation minister, Minoru Kiuchi, emphasized the importance of communication between the central bank and the government regarding monetary policy, while not opposing a potential interest rate hike in the near term [1][2] - Kiuchi's remarks suggest that the government is unlikely to resist a decision to raise interest rates from 0.5% to 0.75% this month, reinforcing market expectations [2] - The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is expected to consider the implications of raising rates at its upcoming meeting on December 18-19, with indications that the government will accept this decision [3] Group 2 - Kiuchi oversees the Cabinet Office, which, along with the Ministry of Finance, has the authority to send representatives to BOJ policy meetings, although these representatives cannot vote [4]