Bank of Japan Policy Board Member Masu says a decision on a rate hike is "close"

Jinse Finance reported that Kazuyuki Masu, a member of the Bank of Japan's Policy Board, stated that the Bank of Japan is close to making a decision on raising interest rates. Masu said, "Although it is impossible to specify the exact month, in terms of timing, we are already close." When asked why a rate hike is necessary, Masu noted that it is not a good thing for real interest rates to remain deeply in negative territory. He also pointed out that Japan's policy rate is below the neutral rate.