23.01.202603:15:05UTC+00BoJ Holds Rate at 0.75% as Expected

In its inaugural meeting of 2026, the Bank of Japan opted to keep its primary short-term interest rate steady at 0.75%, sustaining borrowing costs at their highest point since September 1995. This decision, which aligned with market predictions, received approval through an 8-1 vote. In the bank's quarterly economic outlook, it maintained the forecast for core inflation at 2.7% for the fiscal year 2025. It anticipates a drop to 1.9% in fiscal year 2026 before a slight increase to 2.0% by fiscal year 2027. Additionally, the bank revised its GDP growth forecast for fiscal year 2025 upwards from 0.7% to 0.9%, buoyed by a trade agreement with Washington and an expansive stimulus initiative from Tokyo. This package comprises subsidies for electricity and gas bills, augmented local government grants, and an increase in defense and diplomatic expenditure. Economic growth is projected to slow down slightly to 1.0% in fiscal year 2026 and 0.8% in 2027.