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

Bank of Japan board member Kazuyuki Masu has called for an early interest rate hike if there are no signs of an economic slowdown. Masu's comments suggest he may join hawkish dissenters in calling for a rate hike at the BOJ's next meeting. The BOJ kept its policy rate steady at 0.75% last month, but three board members dissented, calling for a hike to 1.0% due to inflationary pressures. Markets have priced in a 70% chance of a rate hike in June, with economists predicting a hike by June.