Japan 10Y yield breaks 3% on BOJ tightening and fiscal worries
BOJ rate hike and faster tightening signal The Bank of Japan raised its policy rate to 1.25% and signaled faster tightening ahead, pushing the 10-year yield above 3% as markets priced in more increases.
This is the main new event that drove yields higher during the quarter.
Strong wages and hot Tokyo inflation Stronger wage growth and hotter-than-expected Tokyo inflation reinforced expectations of further BOJ tightening, adding upward pressure on bond yields.
These data points supported the case for higher rates and were key drivers of the yield rise.
Fiscal worries and global bond selloff Concerns over unfunded tax cuts, record budget requests, and higher defense spending, plus a global bond selloff and oil above $100, pushed Japanese yields higher.
Fiscal and global factors added to the upward pressure on yields during the quarter.
Counterweights: yen intervention and weak GDP Joint yen intervention strengthened the currency and could cool inflation, while weak Q2 GDP growth of 1.1% argued for BOJ caution, limiting the yield rise.
These factors acted as counterweights that prevented even higher yields.