TOKYO: Japanese government bond yields rose on Wednesday as a senior Bank of Japan (BOJ) official reiterated the central bank’s readiness to raise rates if inflation stayed on course.

BOJ Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino said there was no change to the central bank’s stance that it would adjust monetary easing if economic activity and prices were likely to meet projections.

The 10-year JGB yield rose 1.5 basis points (bps) to 0.890%.

The five-year yield rose 1 bp to 0.505%.

“The comments from Himino were not a surprise but were the only cue that moved yields today,” said Katsutoshi Inadome, a senior strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management.

“Trading was thin after the market digested big events at the end of last week, so a small sell-off could have lifted the yields higher,” said Inadome, referring to remarks by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda.

Japan’s 2 year bond yield hits 13-year high as BOJ chief hints chance of another rate hike

Last week, Powell endorsed an imminent start to rate cuts, while Ueda reaffirmed his resolve to raise rates.

The two-year JGB yield rose 1 bp to 0.37%. The 20-year JGB yield rose 1 bp to 1.690%.

The 30-year JGB yield fell 0.5 bp to 2.045%.

The 40-year JGB yield rose 1 bp to 2.315%.