Japan’s 10-year government bond yield climbed above 1.81%, nearing fresh 17-year highs, supported by stronger-than-expected economic data. October industrial production and retail sales both beat forecasts, while the unemployment rate remained steady. Tokyo’s core inflation also came in above expectations, keeping the Bank of Japan on track for a potential interest rate hike in the coming months. Speculation intensified earlier this week that the central bank could raise rates next month amid persistent inflation, a weaker yen and reduced political pressure to maintain low rates. Meanwhile, Japan’s cabinet recently approved a 21.3 trillion yen stimulus package, the largest since the Covid-19 pandemic and well above last year’s 13.9 trillion yen supplementary budget, raising concerns over the country’s fiscal health. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government reportedly plans to issue at least 11.5 trillion yen in additional bonds to fund the spending.
