0735 GMT - Bank of Japan policy board member Hajime Takata's speech suggests that he may favor hiking interest rates at a faster pace, depending on economic data and financial market developments, says BNP Paribas economist Ryutaro Kono. Kono says it's noteworthy that Takata mentioned the risk of financial overheating in his speech, in addition to the possibility of prices picking up faster than expected. Kono expects the BOJ to raise the policy rate in June, but thinks that it could pull its decision forward to the April 30-May 1 meeting. Takata's comments "clearly signal a positive stance on continuing to raise interest rates," Kono says.(megumi.fujikawa@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 19, 2025 02:35 ET (07:35 GMT)

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