[Former Bank of Japan Committee Member: Yen Weakness May Prompt Rate Hike as Early as April] Jin10 News, January 13 – Former Bank of Japan policy board member Makoto Sakurai stated that due to growing market concerns over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's 'risky' fiscal policies, which have led to continued yen weakness, the Bank of Japan may raise interest rates as early as April. 'The BOJ must raise rates at least once by June or July, but the move could come as early as April.' (The current market consensus expects the BOJ to raise rates at a pace of approximately once every six months, so a rate hike in April would be earlier than market expectations.) This statement comes as reports from Japanese media suggest that the Takaichi administration is considering holding a snap election as early as next month, further driving the yen's depreciation. Sakurai's remarks indicate that he believes the BOJ will not take action to support the yen in its next two meetings. If the yen continues to weaken during this period, the responsibility for maintaining exchange rate stability will fall on the Ministry of Finance.