BOJ's negative-rate exit may hinge on January, April inflation outlooks

TOKYO -- The Bank of Japan is weighing when to end its negative-interest-rate policy as inflation shifts to a more stable footing, focusing on spring wage negotiations kicking off in January and an expected pivot to rate cuts in the U.S.

Gov. Kazuo Ueda struck a balance between positivity and caution in his news conference Tuesday after the central bank's policy meeting as it enters the final stages of a move toward an exit from years of ultraloose monetary policy. With its goal of stable 2% inflation within reach, Ueda's comments seemed intended to ensure the BOJ has as free a hand as possible.