BOJ raises interest rates to 31-year high in widely expected move

The Korea Times - Sep 18, 2026

TOKYO—The Bank of Japan raised interest rates to a 31-year high of 1.25 percent on Friday in a widely expected move to forestall risks of inflation overshooting its 2 percent inflation target. At a two-day policy meeting that ended on Friday, the board decided by a 7-2 vote to raise its policy rate from 1 percent. Board member Toichiro Asada and Ayano Sato dissented to the decision. BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda is expected to hold a news conference at 3:30 p.m. (0630 GMT) to explain the decision.

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Brazil's Lula announces 15% welfare boost ahead of election

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