BOJ could hike rates twice by fiscal year-end: ex-BOJ policymaker

The Bank of Japan could raise interest rates twice before the end of the fiscal year, former board member Makoto Sakurai said. The central bank recently lifted its short-term policy rate to 1%, the highest level in 31 years, citing concerns over rising inflation. The pace of future hikes will depend on whether consumer inflation accelerates during the July-September period.