Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Japan’s Service Sector Sustains Growth Momentum in November 
New RBNZ Governor Anna Breman Aims to Restore Stability After Tumultuous Years 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is expected to lower its economic growth forecast at its upcoming April 30–May 1 policy meeting, as escalating tariff risks from U.S. President Donald Trump threaten Japan’s export-driven recovery. According to three sources familiar with internal discussions, the central bank is likely to revise down its 1.1% GDP growth projection for fiscal 2025 in its May 1 quarterly report.
The BOJ is widely expected to keep interest rates steady at 0.5% amid continued market volatility driven by Trump’s shifting trade policy. The extent of the impact on Japan's economy depends largely on whether Tokyo can secure exemptions during bilateral talks with Washington this week.
Despite concerns, BOJ insiders maintain that while Trump’s tariffs will hurt the economy, they are unlikely to derail the underlying inflation trend. The central bank still believes that Japan’s economy is on track for a moderate recovery, though progress toward the 2% inflation target—critical for further rate hikes—may be delayed.
BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda recently reaffirmed in a media interview the bank’s commitment to raising rates at a measured pace. However, he also acknowledged the possibility of adjusting policy depending on the fallout from U.S. tariffs, hinting at a potential pause in the rate hike cycle.
Additional insights may emerge when board member Junko Nakagawa speaks at a public event on Thursday, where she is expected to address concerns over trade-related economic risks.
The BOJ’s policy stance and growth revision come at a critical time, as Japan navigates global uncertainty and seeks to sustain inflation momentum amid rising external pressures.
