Bank of America: In uncertain circumstances, the Bank of Japan may stay on the sidelines in April.

Bank of America Securities stated in a report that due to increasing uncertainties, the Bank of Japan may stand still in April. The brokerage firm has changed its previous forecast that interest rates would be raised to 1.0%. The brokerage firm stated, "Recent soft data and market feedback - both reflecting the escalating tensions in the Middle East - may have made the Bank of Japan more cautious about the downside risks to corporate profits and the domestic economy." Bank of America has postponed its forecast for the Bank of Japan to raise interest rates until June. If disruptions related to the Middle East continue, or if fiscal policy debates lead to further instability in the interest rate market, there is a risk that the rate hike could be further delayed until the July meeting.