(Oct 30): The Bank of Japan (BOJ) kept its benchmark rate unchanged, with two dissenters calling for a rate hike at its first meeting since Sanae Takaichi, a supporter of monetary easing, became prime minister last week.
The BOJ held its policy rate at 0.5% Thursday, at the end of a two-day gathering, according to its statement in Tokyo. The result was in line with the expectations of 90% of economists surveyed by Bloomberg.
Naoki Tamura and Hajime Takata voted against the decision for a second consecutive meeting.
A key focus of this gathering was the board’s vote. The steady number of dissenters sends a fresh reminder that a rate hike could come as early as December.
The yen erased a slight gain after the decision.
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