Higher rates a burden on regional banks but boost to household savings

20251209N BOJ

If the Bank of Japan raises the policy rate, households could enjoy higher interest income. (Photo by Miki Kamiyama)

TOSHIHIRO SATO, SHUNSUKE USHIGOME and MIHIRO ROKUDAI

December 10, 2025 02:22 JST

TOKYO — Japan’s long-term interest rates are fast approaching 2%, a high not seen in nearly two decades, raising the specter of the government’s borrowing costs doubling over several years.