无视提前大选传闻，日本央行行长重申加息决心

Group 1 - The Governor of the Bank of Japan, Kazuo Ueda, signaled intentions to raise interest rates when conditions allow, despite speculation about an early election by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida [1] - Ueda's comments indicate that financial market fluctuations due to election speculation have not altered the Bank of Japan's path towards rate hikes, maintaining consistency with his previous statements [1] - Most economists expect the Bank of Japan to hold its policy steady during the January 23 meeting, with the next rate hike anticipated around June [1] Group 2 - Currency depreciation has increased import costs, contributing to broader inflationary pressures, complicating Ueda's goal of achieving stable price growth [2] - Ueda noted that wages and inflation may continue to rise gradually, and appropriate adjustments to monetary easing will help achieve price targets and long-term economic growth [2] - The Bank of Japan raised the benchmark interest rate to 0.75%, the highest level since 1995, with expectations of rate hikes approximately every six months, although a weak yen may accelerate the timing of the next action [2]