The Bank of Japan raised its key interest rate to about 0.5% from 0.25% Friday, noting that inflation is holding at a desirable target level. “The economy is gradually recovering,” BOJ Gov. Kazuo Ueda told reporters after a two-day policy board meeting in Tokyo.

Japan's central bank has increased the cost of borrowing to its highest level in 17 years, after consumer price rises accelerated last year. The move by the Bank of Japan (BOJ) to raise its short-term policy rate to 0.5% comes just hours after the latest economic data showed prices rose last month at the fastest pace in 16 months.

The Bank of Japan ((BoJ)) has raised its key short-term interest rate by 25 basis points to 0.5%, in line with market consensus, and marking the highest level since 2008 and the third rate hike since the central bank ended negative interest rates in March 2024.