日元贬值压力剧增

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article is that the Bank of Japan (BOJ) may consider tightening monetary policy, including potential interest rate hikes, to address the weakening yen and its impact on inflation [1][4]. - The BOJ has indicated that if it is confident that Japan's underlying inflation will stabilize above the 2% target, it will continue to raise interest rates [2][6]. - Japan's consumer prices rose by 3% year-on-year in October, exceeding the previous month's increase of 2.9%, marking the longest period of inflation above the BOJ's target since 1992 [2][3]. Group 2 - The depreciation of the yen is expected to increase import costs, which will subsequently affect domestic prices and consumer inflation rates [4][5]. - The BOJ's Governor, Ueda Kazuo, noted that the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on inflation may have intensified, as companies are more actively raising prices and wages [5]. - Historical trends show that changes in the yen's exchange rate have been significant triggers for adjustments in BOJ policy, as seen in the rate hike following the yen's depreciation last July [6][8]. Group 3 - There is a growing consensus within the BOJ regarding the need for interest rate hikes, with two members of the policy committee already advocating for such measures during the October meeting [8]. - BOJ board member Koeda Junko suggested that she would support a rate hike if proposed by Governor Ueda at the upcoming policy meeting on December 19 [7].