BOJ likely to raise price forecasts

Bloomberg

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is likely to consider revising its inflation and growth forecasts later this month as a weaker yen and cost-push inflation force more companies to pass on higher costs to consumers, according to people familiar with the matter.
The central bank will probably raise its quarterly price projection to its target level of 2% or above for the year ending next March from the 1.9% view it gave in April, according to the people. An upward revision of the 1.1% forecast for the following year is also likely to be discussed at the meeting on July 20-21, they said.
Following the heavy impact on Japan’s manufacturing activities from China’s pandemic lockdowns, the central bank is also likely to consider lowering its growth forecast for this year from the current 2.9% view, the people added.
The new economic projections will be released together with the bank’s policy decision at the end of the meeting. The BOJ remains strongly committed to continuing with monetary easing to firmly support Japan’s slow economic recovery and achieve sustainable price gains, the people said.
The revisions are likely to reinforce Governor Haruhiko Kuroda’s case that the economy needs support through the continuation of monetary easing as cost-push inflation poses downside risks for the recovery. Kuroda’s insistence on continuing support comes despite intensified speculation that the BOJ will tweak policy as central banks around the globe rush to tame historic inflation gains.
The BOJ will decide on policy by carefully assessing financial markets and economic data up to the last minute, the people said.
Jiji reported that the BOJ is likely to raise its inflation forecast for the current fiscal year.
The BOJ will deliver its latest quarterly forecast on July 21. In recent weeks, its yield curve control program has come under significant attack due to intensified tightening speculation.
BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda has said he must continue with easing until wage growth becomes robust enough to make inflation sustainable. Even though Japan’s price gains so far have been significantly lower than other major economies, real wages are already declining.