Asada Toshiro: Future interest rate hikes may require a cautious and gradual approach; interest rate cuts are not currently being considered.

Bank of Japan board member Toshiro Asada stated that he is not entirely opposed to raising interest rates at present, and that a slow pace of rate hikes may be necessary at some point in the future, but the pace must be carefully controlled. Asada Toshiro pointed out that Japan's inflation rate has reached approximately 2%, and the neutral interest rate may be slightly higher than the Bank of Japan's current policy rate. Asada stated that he is not currently considering proposing an interest rate cut, and hopes to make policy decisions after comprehensively assessing the upside and downside risks to the economy and the financial situation at each monetary policy meeting.