BOJ Expected Hold at 0.75% Amid Inflation

BOJ expected to keep short‑term rate at 0.75% on April 28, marking a third consecutive hold after the December 25 bps hike.
Analysts are split, with ANZ seeing a June 25 bps hike, ING warning of a possible April hike if March inflation stays high.
Yen stayed just under 160 per dollar, limiting intervention risk, while Nikkei 225 hit record highs on tech, banking and industrial gains.
Middle‑East (Iran) conflict fuels oil and shipping shocks, prompting the BOJ to adopt a hawkish tone despite holding rates.