[Bank of Singapore: The Bank of Japan’s policy assessment may curb expectations of adjustment to a certain extent] Moh Siong Sim, foreign exchange strategist at the Bank of Singapore, said that given that the market had not expected any changes, the Bank of Japan did look a little dovish this time. But perhaps the market remains hopeful that some adjustments to policy settings, especially the yield curve control (YCC) policy, may be in the future. The strategist said the BOJ did raise its inflation forecasts, but at the same time he sees hopes for a policy change being somewhat dampened by the review, which is expected to last a year to a year and a half, which could would dash hopes of imminent action on the policymaking front.

[Analyst: Kazuo Ueda may prefer to use prior reports to communicate with the market] Analysts at Japan’s Daiwa Institute of Research (DAIWA INSTITUTE OF RESEARCH) said that there were no major surprises in the interest rate resolution. There were reports. Interestingly, BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda seems to be relying on media coverage ahead of the policy meeting as we get comparatively more ex ante coverage in this meeting. This may be his way of communicating with the market to avoid surprises and gradually announce policy changes to the market.

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry METI: Gasoline sales in Japan fell 2.4% year-on-year in March.

The Bank of Japan’s economic forecast: downgrades economic growth forecast for this fiscal year, raises core inflation forecast for this year and next

The 5-year JGB yield fell 1.5 basis points to 0.130%.

Bank of Japan: During this period, the Bank of Japan has implemented various monetary easing measures. These measures interacted with and affected broad areas of Japanese economic activity, prices and the financial sector.

The 10-year JGB yield fell 2 basis points to 0.435%.

Bank of Japan: Japanese consumer inflation may fall below 2% by the middle of this fiscal year.

The Bank of Japan: In the second half of the three years forecast in this quarterly report, Japanese prices may continue to rise, while wages will also rise and turn positive around the period.

The Bank of Japan: The upside risk of inflation expectations in fiscal year 2023 is high, but the downside risk of inflation expectations in fiscal year 2025 is high.

European Mediterranean Seismological Center: 5.5-magnitude earthquake hits southern Fiji Islands.

According to a Reuters poll: The median forecast shows that the Reserve Bank of Australia will raise the cash rate to 3.85% by the end of the third quarter (previously the poll was expected to be at the end of the second quarter).

Market news: Australian Prime Minister Albanese will discuss the "US-UK-Australia Trilateral Security Partnership" (AUKUS) agreement with British Prime Minister Sunak.

German Geoscience Research Center GFZ: A 6.2-magnitude earthquake occurred in the southern part of the Fiji Islands.

Market news: Australian Prime Minister Albanese will visit the UK from May 2 to 6 and meet with British Prime Minister Sunak during his visit.

Two people were killed in an attack in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro, according to the local mayor.

According to the Nikkei News: Japan is preparing to restore South Korea to the white list of countries.