Japan’s 10-year government bond yield fell to around 1.92% on Thursday, retreating from 18-year highs as it tracked declines in US Treasury yields after the Federal Reserve delivered its third rate cut of the year and signaled a less hawkish outlook than markets anticipated. Investors are also looking ahead to next week’s Bank of Japan policy meeting, where markets anticipate a rate hike after Governor Kazuo Ueda noted that the central bank is getting closer to its inflation target. Attention will focus on Ueda’s post-meeting comments for guidance on 2026 policy. Meanwhile, an auction of Japan’s 20-year government bonds saw the strongest demand since 2020, with a bid-to-cover ratio of 4.1 versus 3.28 at the previous auction, as higher yields attracted investors.
