Mumbai, July 31 -- The Bank of Japan left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 1% in an 8-1 policy decision, while signaling that inflationary pressures are expected to strengthen in the coming quarters. The central bank projected core inflation to rise clearly above its 2% target in the second half of fiscal 2026, driven by stronger wage growth, elevated crude oil prices and a weaker yen. However, the BOJ expects inflation to gradually moderate back toward its target as energy prices ease, even as one board member voted in favor of a 25-basis-point rate hike.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Capital Market....