BOJ board member Masu calls for early rate hike, joins hawkish chorus

Bank of Japan board member Kazuyuki Masu calls for an early interest rate hike if there are no signs of an economic slowdown. He suggests joining hawkish dissenters in calling for a rate hike at the BOJ's next meeting, citing surging oil costs and inflationary pressures. Masu previously voted to keep rates steady in April, but now believes raising rates at the earliest stage possible is desirable if economic data do not indicate a downturn.