Asiatimes iconAsiatimesSep 18, 2026

Bank of Japan rate hike exposes cracks in Bessent’s facade

TOKYO – Two words sprang to mind when the Bank of Japan lifted its policy rate to a 31-year high of 1.25% on Friday: No, the US Treasury secretary didn't cause the 25-basis-point increase announced by Governor Kazuo Ueda.

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TOKYO – Two words sprang to mind when the Bank of Japan lifted its policy rate to a 31-year high of 1.25% on Friday:

No, the US Treasury secretary didn't cause the 25-basis-point increase announced by Governor Kazuo Ueda.

The BOJ was responding to a far more pressing reality: inflation continues to outpace […]

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TOKYO – Two words sprang to mind when the Bank of Japan lifted its policy rate to a 31-year high of 1.25% on Friday: No, the US Treasury secretary didn't cause the 25-basis-point increase announced by Governor Kazuo Ueda. The BOJ was responding to a far more pressing reality: inflation continues to outpace […]

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