Japan faces a complex economic challenge as its long-standing low-interest rates, once used to stimulate growth, have diverged significantly from those of other major economies. The current dilemma revolves around the yen, which is nearing a record low against the U.S. dollar, potentially resulting in sustained inflation for Japan. This situation is a significant shift from the deflationary pressures Japan experienced for years. However, if Japanese policymakers loosen their grip too much and allow rates to rise too rapidly, they could inadvertently burden businesses and consumers with higher borrowing costs, causing market disruptions.
On Tuesday, the Bank of Japan attempted to navigate this delicate balancing act by introducing a new monetary policy aimed at incrementally increasing bond yields. Instead of imposing a yield cap, the central bank announced a 1 percent yield as the new baseline for 10-year government bonds. This policy shift reflects the Bank’s expectation that inflation will surpass previous projections. In July, the Bank had indicated that yields could surpass 0.5 percent, previously viewed as the upper limit.
Decisions made by the Bank of Japan, under the leadership of Governor Kazuo Ueda, carry significant global repercussions, particularly in American financial markets. Notably, interest rates in the United States stand far above Japan’s rates. Yields on 10-year U.S. Treasury notes briefly exceeded 5 percent in September, a level not seen since 2007.
The United States has experienced a rapid increase in rates due to the Federal Reserve’s consistent efforts to control inflation resulting from the economic rebound following the COVID-19 pandemic. It is expected that the Federal Reserve will maintain its already elevated rates, currently at a 22-year high, when it announces its decision on Wednesday.
The substantial U.S. interest rates have prompted Japanese investors and others to invest in U.S. Treasuries, attracted by the high returns. According to official federal data, Japan ranks as the largest foreign holder of U.S. government debt. Government bond yields serve as benchmarks for various other forms of debt, encompassing mortgages, credit cards, and business loans. The cost of borrowing plays a pivotal role in determining an economy’s growth.
Central banks are the primary agents responsible for regulating interest rates. They influence rates by buying and selling government bonds. Purchasing bonds increases their value while reducing their yields, and selling bonds lowers their value, resulting in higher yields.
As Japanese investors accumulate U.S. Treasuries, they inadvertently fuel demand for the U.S. dollar and contribute to the weakening of the yen. Consequently, the Bank of Japan has faced the challenging task of propping up the yen while still maintaining low-interest rates.
The Bank of Japan’s decision to allow government bond yields to rise is an attempt to bolster the appeal of domestic debt, aiming to stimulate demand and strengthen the yen while potentially weakening the dollar. Given that the United States and Japan are the world’s largest and third-largest economies, respectively, their currencies are among the most actively traded.
Last week, the yen reached its lowest level against the dollar since October 2022. On Monday, the yen surged as rumors of potential changes in Bank of Japan policy began circulating, although it weakened following Tuesday’s announcement.
The Bank of Japan’s move comes amid a pivotal moment in global markets. Ongoing geopolitical instability, including wars in Europe and the Middle East and protectionist trade policies pursued by leading economies, has added to concerns about the potential for a sudden spike in U.S. government bond yields. Such an increase could undermine the economy’s resilience by driving up borrowing costs for consumers and companies worldwide.
The Bank of Japan’s decision carries the potential to exacerbate these concerns in the United States, especially if it leads to a noticeable shift in demand for Treasuries among Japanese investors. Such a shift could exert further upward pressure on U.S. yields, impacting global economic stability.
