SooHoo Securities: The Bank of Japan's statement of increasing its forecast has boosted expectations for a rate hike in June.

Yusuke Matsuo, an economist at Mizuho Securities, said that the recent slightly hawkish remarks made by a member of the Bank of Japan's policy board suggest that he will vote in favor of a rate hike at the central bank's next meeting in June. The member stated that if there are no signs of severe economic downturn, the Bank of Japan should "raise interest rates at the earliest possible stage." Matsuo stated that comments, including those from Governor Haruhiko Kuroda in late May and early June, are expected to be slightly hawkish, which could lay the groundwork for a rate hike in the near future and prepare the market. The Bank of Japan's next policy meeting is scheduled to take place on June 15-16.