Shigeta Kazuo refuses to disclose clues to interest rate hikes and reiterates the need to closely monitor risks.

Bank of Japan Governor Kuroda reiterated his view that the central bank needs to closely monitor various risks, but did not hint at the possibility of a rate hike next month. "The timing and pace of adjusting monetary easing will depend on the future developments of economic activity, prices, and financial conditions," Kuroda said in a speech at a business conference in Tokyo on Wednesday. He pointed out, "The Bank of Japan needs to appropriately monitor various domestic and overseas risk factors, and study how these factors will affect the outlook and risks of Japanese economic activity and prices, as well as the potential for achieving the outlook." Last week, he made dovish comments that surprised observers of the Bank of Japan, sparking doubts about the expectation for a rate hike in January next year if no action is taken at the December meeting, leading to a decline in the Japanese yen. Following his remarks, the yen weakened further against the US dollar. The Bank of Japan maintained its benchmark interest rate at 0.25% at the December policy meeting. In his speech on Wednesday, Kuroda said he has a lot to watch and he hopes to see more data to gauge the momentum of annual spring wage negotiations and the outlook for the US economy.