Japan’s 10-year government bond yield rose to around 2.18% on Wednesday, reaching its highest level since 1999, while the 5-year yield hit record highs amid mounting concerns over the country’s fiscal health. Those moves came ahead of the Ministry of Finance’s planned sale of roughly 2.5 trillion yen in 5-year securities, raising worries about debt-funded spending. JGB yields have also been rallying on speculation that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi may call a snap election next month to consolidate power and advance expansionary fiscal policies, with reports suggesting lower house elections could take place on February 8. Meanwhile, a private survey indicated that manufacturing activity is slowing due to trade frictions, while the service sector faces tourism-related challenges, limiting the Bank of Japan’s ability to pursue further rate hikes.
