[Bank of Japan Board Member Junko Koeda: Rate Hikes Should Continue at an Appropriate Pace] Jin10 News, May 21 – Bank of Japan (BOJ) Policy Board Member Junko Koeda expressed support for raising the benchmark interest rate, marking the latest sign that momentum for action as early as next month is building. "I believe potential inflation in the future could exceed 2%," Koeda said on Thursday during a speech to local business leaders in Fukuoka, western Japan. "Therefore, I believe it is reasonable for the BOJ to raise policy rates at an appropriate pace to address high inflation while weighing the economic pros and cons." At the April policy meeting, Koeda was among the majority who voted to keep rates unchanged. That meeting concluded with a 6-3 vote, the most divided decision since Kazuo Ueda took office as governor. Although Koeda did not specify the timing of her preferred next move, her remarks may bolster speculation that authorities could raise rates at the next policy decision on June 16. She is the second member of the majority camp to hint at a potential rate hike in the future. Earlier this month, Ichirō Zōe stated that as long as the economy remains stable, authorities should "raise rates at the earliest possible stage."