Japan’s 10-year government bond yield rose above 2.1% on Monday, reaching its highest level since February 1999 as trading resumed after the long holiday. Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda reiterated that the central bank will continue raising interest rates if economic and price projections materialize, highlighting growing confidence that Japan is moving beyond its long-standing deflationary period toward a more sustainable, growth-driven economy. Ueda also said he expects the economy to maintain a virtuous cycle, with moderate simultaneous increases in wages and prices. Yields were further lifted by growing fiscal concerns, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pushed for massive government spending to stimulate growth. The cabinet recently approved Takaichi’s record 122.3 trillion yen budget, which is scheduled for submission to the Diet this month.
