刚刚！日本，加息25基点

Core Viewpoint - The Bank of Japan has raised its benchmark interest rate to approximately 0.75%, the highest level since 1995, marking a significant shift in its monetary policy towards normalization [1][2]. Group 1: Interest Rate Adjustment - On December 19, the Bank of Japan unanimously decided to increase the policy interest rate by 0.25 percentage points from approximately 0.5%, reaching its highest level in nearly 30 years [1]. - This rate hike is the first since January and the fourth since the negative interest rate policy was lifted in March 2024 [1]. Group 2: Economic Indicators - The core Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Japan rose by 3.0% year-on-year in November, remaining above the Bank of Japan's 2% target for 44 consecutive months [2]. - The persistent inflation and the weakening yen have led to a political environment that supports the recent rate hike, despite initial skepticism regarding the Bank of Japan's ability to normalize policy under the current government [2]. Group 3: Market Reactions - Following the announcement, the yen weakened against the dollar, trading around 156, indicating that the market had already priced in the rate hike [2]. - The Nikkei 225 index continued to rise, reflecting positive market sentiment in response to the monetary policy shift [2].