TOKYO -- Japan's scandal-mired politics, the persistently weak yen and robust wage hikes offered by Japanese companies all played a part in the Bank of Japan's decision on Tuesday to raise interest rates for the first time in 17 years.
Bank of Japan
Yen, wages and politics forced BOJ's hand on March rate hike
Earthquake took January off table; currency slump spurred move before April
Japanese Finance Ministry officials worried that the yen could fall lower if Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda stressed keeping monetary policy loose. (Photo by Koji Uema)
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