[U.S.-Iran Conflict Erupts, Bank of Japan Hints at No Rate Hike in March] BlockBeats News, March 2: In his latest speech on Monday, Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino did not provide any clear signals regarding a short-term rate hike. Influenced by the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East over the weekend, this move further reinforces the existing expectations in financial markets—that Bank of Japan policymakers will opt to maintain the status quo at this month's monetary policy meeting. Following the U.S. and Israel's attack on Iran, the global economic outlook has become increasingly uncertain. Himino's remarks suggest that the likelihood of a rate hike at the Bank of Japan's March 19 policy meeting is now extremely low. (Jin10)