Sources: The Bank of Japan is inclined not to raise interest rates consecutively this month and may keep options open for action in December.

(1) According to informed sources, Bank of Japan officials are inclined not to implement a rare consecutive rate hike this month, but still retain the possibility of raising interest rates as early as December. (2) Sources stated that in the absence of signs indicating a sudden increase in inflation risks, Bank of Japan officials believe there is no need for consecutive rate hikes. The central bank will carefully analyze economic data to assess whether a new round of rate hikes could be initiated at the December meeting. (3) Informed sources said there are still variables in the final policy decision for the October 30 meeting until the last moment. (4) To manage inflation risks, the central bank governor Kazuo Ueda's policy committee last month raised interest rates to 1.25%. (5) Previously, US Treasury Secretary Scott Besent pressed Japan to continue advancing policy normalization to help strengthen the yen.