Japan’s Megabanks to Remain Buoyed by BOJ’s Long Game to Hike Rates

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc., Mizuho Financial Group Inc. and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. will detail how much the Bank of Japan’s commitment to raise borrowing costs could help profit margins in the midst of uncertainty sparked by US tariffs.

Japan’s central bank stood pat earlier this month after a cycle of rate hikes since March 2024 and halving its economic growth outlook to 0.5% for this fiscal year. While the BOJ pushed back the timeline for reaching its 2% inflation target citing increased uncertainty from the trade war, Governor Kazuo Ueda emphasized that the adjustment doesn’t necessarily imply a delay in future rate hikes.