📝 Executive Summary
Japan's government has signaled support for a faster pace of Bank of Japan rate hikes, according to people familiar with the matter. The stance raises expectations for yen appreciation and higher Japanese government bond yields. Japanese equities face headwinds as tighter policy lifts borrowing costs and squeezes exporter margins. The yen strengthened in response, pressuring USD/JPY lower. The Nikkei 225 slipped as investors priced in higher domestic rates. Policy-sensitive Japanese government bonds sold off, lifting benchmark yields.