Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda will likely face a tougher political environment in the second half of his five-year term starting Thursday after the ruling party leadership victory of Sanae Takaichi, a critic of interest rate increases.
Ueda already faces a dilemma. The central bank appeared to be laying the groundwork for its first interest rate hike since January later this month. Now, following Takaichi’s win, if Ueda goes ahead with an increase he risks antagonizing a premier who might then seek more sway over the BOJ’s decisions going forward.