In a speech delivered to business leaders in Sapporo, Hokkaido on Wednesday, Bank of Japan board member Hajime Takata reaffirmed his previous call for flexible interest rate increases as a safeguard against inflationary risks. He emphasized that in addition to monitoring overseas conditions, the central bank must evaluate the degree of domestic monetary easing before adjusting rates with agility.

Takata had cast the sole dissenting vote at the July 30-31 policy meeting, advocating for a 25-basis-point hike to 1.25%, while the majority chose to hold the benchmark rate steady at around 1%. His repeated push for tighter policy underscores growing concerns within the central bank about potential price pressures even as global uncertainties persist.