Former Chief Economist of the Central Bank of Japan: The Central Bank could raise interest rates as early as June

Sina Financial News A former chief economist of the Japanese Central Bank said that judging from the short of adjusting the “excessive” easing policy, Japan may raise interest rates three more times long Central Bank this year, and the next action may be in June at the earliest. “It may sound extreme, but it’s okay if you raise interest rates in June,” economist Toshitaka Sekine said in an interview with the media on Wednesday. Sekine’s view is more hawkish than that of long Japan Central Bank observers, although increasingly long analysts point to Central Bank risk of a July rate hike as a weaker yen exacerbates the risk of a higher price trend. Sekine believes that the Central Bank will adopt an opportunistic policy long wick candle and gradually reduce easing when possible while real Intrerest Rate remains significantly negative. “My feeling is that if the conditions are favorable enough, even if the Central Bank raises rates three more times this year, there will be no problem at all,” said Sekine, who is now a professor of economics at Hitotsubashi University. "There is no need to say that the Central Bank will hit the ceiling at 0.25% or 0.5%. They can gradually raise interest rates as long as the environment allows. ”