植田和男：基础通胀正稳步接近2%目标，将继续上调政策利率

Core Viewpoint - The Bank of Japan is steadily moving towards its inflation target of 2%, with the central bank's governor reaffirming the intention to continue raising interest rates [1] Group 1: Inflation and Labor Market - The overall inflation rate in Japan is progressing towards the 2% target set by the central bank [1] - The labor market remains tight, exerting upward pressure on wage levels due to structural changes such as a declining working-age population [1] - Companies are passing production costs onto food prices and other goods and services, indicating a mechanism of synchronized wage and price increases [1] Group 2: Economic Outlook and Interest Rates - The governor believes that significant changes in corporate wage and pricing behavior have occurred in a tightening labor market, indicating a steady approach to the 2% inflation target alongside wage growth [1] - Unless there is a major negative shock to the Japanese economy, the labor market is expected to remain robust [1] - The central bank will continue to raise interest rates based on improvements in the economy and prices, given the very low real interest rates in Japan [1] Group 3: Government Initiatives - The Japanese Prime Minister aims to achieve synchronized wage growth and price increases to promote a virtuous cycle of wages, consumption, and corporate profits for fiscal sustainability [1] - The government has decided to introduce tax incentives for capital expenditures to help build critical supply chains [1]