TOKYO: Japanese government bond (JGB) prices were slightly lower on profit-taking on Monday after German Bund prices stepped back from highs, but trading was thin due to a US market holiday and ahead of key events such as a Bank of Japan policy meeting.

The 10-year JGBs were traded at a yield of 0.495 percent, up 0.5 basis point, in the early afternoon but saw no trades during the morning. The 20-year yield rose 1 basis point to 1.330 percent.

The 10-year JGB futures were up 0.01 point at 146.24.

German Bund yields edged up from record lows on Friday as investors pared back expectations that the European Central Bank (ECB) would ease monetary policy next week after euro zone inflation data came out only a touch lower.

Both the BOJ and the ECB plan policy announcements on Thursday.

Copyright Reuters, 2014