Mizuho Financial Group(US:MFG) 智通财经网·2026-02-02 06:57Group 1 - The Chief Investment Officer of Asset Management One, Shigeki Muramatsu, indicated that if the Bank of Japan raises interest rates in April, the yen could strengthen to 150 yen per dollar [1] - Asset Management One manages approximately $512 billion in assets and is inclined to purchase ultra-long Japanese government bonds due to their relatively high yields compared to Japan's growth prospects [1] - Concerns about the slow pace of monetary policy tightening by the Bank of Japan have led to a weaker yen, although Muramatsu believes the situation is not as dire as perceived [1] Group 2 - The weak yen is expected to be a significant factor necessitating interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan and the government, with a 69% probability of a rate increase before April, up from 40% at the end of last year [2] - Muramatsu noted that the coordination between the U.S. and Japan increases the likelihood of an earlier rate hike by the Bank of Japan, especially with U.S. Treasury Secretary urging Japan to allow further rate increases [2] - A drop in the dollar-yen exchange rate below 150 could pressure the Japanese stock market, but Asset Management One remains optimistic about long-term investments in risk assets by Japanese households [2] Group 3 - Following the Bank of Japan's January policy meeting, institutions like BNP Paribas and SMBC Nikko Securities have brought forward their expectations for the next policy adjustment to April [3] - The minutes from the January meeting indicated an increasing recognition among decision-makers of the necessity for timely interest rate hikes due to the impact of a weak yen on inflation [3] - Muramatsu highlighted the attractiveness of 30-year Japanese government bonds, which stabilized at around 3.64% after a previous surge, despite concerns over fiscal sustainability due to proposed tax cuts [3]