Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF

FLAX

Market cap $54.2M

The Bank of Japan is likely to take a breather this week to assess the effects of its latest move after raising its policy rate to the highest level in three decades.

JGBs fell in price terms in early Tokyo trade amid concerns over Japan's fiscal policies.

Japanese stocks were lower in early trade as uncertainty over the Middle East conflict continues.

Ayano Sato pledged to carefully watch the impact of a weak yen on prices, though she didn't give any clear hints on her monetary policy stance.

Japanese equities have hit all-time highs at a pace not seen since 1989.

A shift in Japan's large pool of household financial assets could reshape capital markets, one analyst says.

Japan spent about $73 billion on foreign exchange intervention and the Bank of Japan has raised rates, but the yen remains near 160 against the dollar. A wide U.S.-Japan rate gap, carry trades and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's reflationary stance continue to weigh on the currency.

Consumer inflation remained steady last month, with economists noting that the full effect of higher oil prices has yet to emerge.

Japan core inflation holds steady in May, matching expectations despite energy price concerns

Japan's central bank could look past Middle East uncertainty and raise interest rates if inflation becomes a bigger threat to the economy than the risk of slowing growth, Gov. Kazuo Ueda said.