More rate hikes discussed at BOJ meeting after increase to 17-yr high

The need for further interest rate hikes was discussed at the most recent Bank of Japan monetary policy meeting, with a board member pointing to the performance of the domestic economy and price rises as catalysts for higher borrowing costs, a summary of opinions showed Monday.The Japanese central bank decided to lift its key policy rate to 0.5 percent -- the highest level in about 17 years -- from 0.25 percent at the January 23-24 meeting."Real interest rates are expected to remain significantly negative after the policy interest rate hike," one of the members said at the policy-setting me…READ FULL ARTICLE