[Institution: The Bank of Japan Leaves Room for April Rate Hike, Possibility of Raising Rates Before Mid-Year Remains Considerable] Jin10 Data, April 20 – Given the increased uncertainty caused by the Iran war, Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda, after attending the IMF meeting, did not commit in advance to a rate hike in April but still released some hawkish signals, suggesting that if not this month, the possibility of a rate hike in June remains. Although the market's attention is focused on his lack of explicit indication of an April rate hike, Ueda has not downplayed the possibility of an April hike and emphasized the need to closely monitor the Middle East situation and its impact on Japan's economy. Three sources familiar with the Bank of Japan's thinking stated that, with both possibilities still on the table, BOJ policymakers may hesitate until the last moment to decide whether to raise rates at the April 27–28 meeting, which will partly depend on the progress of negotiations to end the U.S.-Iran war. One source said: 'Under conditions of high uncertainty, it is still too early to make a decision for the policy meeting more than a week away.'