Japan’s 10-year government bond yield traded above 2%, hovering near a 27-year high amid prospects of continued gradual rate hikes by the Bank of Japan. A summary of the BOJ’s December meeting showed policymakers debating further tightening even after last month’s rate hike to a multi-decade high. Some argued policy remains far from neutral in real terms and favored gradual increases to stay ahead of inflation risks, while others warned that low rates have weakened the yen and pushed up long-term yields. Timely hikes could anchor inflation expectations and stabilize bond markets, reinforcing a cautious but ongoing normalization path. Recent data showed Tokyo’s annual inflation eased to a more than one-year low of 2% in December, below expectations as food and energy price pressures moderated, a key indicator for nationwide trends. The government’s proposed record ¥122.3 trillion budget for fiscal 2026 is also being closely watched by markets, expected to push long-term yields higher.
