[Nomura Securities: Middle East Situation Increases Reasons for BOJ Rate Hike in April] Jin10 News, March 19 – Nomura Holdings' head of wholesale business, Wilcox, stated that despite the shadow cast on the economic outlook by the impact of the Iran war, the Bank of Japan is still expected to raise interest rates next month. He believes that the Middle East conflict makes an April rate hike more likely. Japan is already on the path to monetary policy normalization regardless, so we have consistently anticipated a rate hike this year. Considering the uncertainty in the Middle East situation, Wilcox is less certain whether the BOJ will continue raising rates after April. One factor Japanese policymakers need to consider is the impact of yen depreciation on inflation.