The fading shadow of reflationists in the Bank of Japan, and the latest addition to the board of an academic favouring an end to ultra-low interest rates, will likely bring the central bank's thinking closer to global peers taking a more conventional approach on monetary policy.

Concurrently, oil prices dipped, exerting additional pressure on the broader dollar index across Asia. Trump's stern calls on OPEC, particularly Saudi Arabia, to boost production and slash prices are a boon for Asia's vast oil-dependent economies, alleviating some of their financial strain.

Japan's central bank has raised its key interest rate to about 0.5% from 0.25%, noting that inflation is holding at a desirable target level.

Japan's government on Tuesday nominated Junko Koeda, an academic who had warned of the cost of prolonged monetary easing, to join the Bank of Japan board in March, a choice analysts say will keep the central bank on course to raise interest rates.

Asian markets rose Friday after a record day on Wall Street in response to Donald Trump's tax-cut pledge, while the yen strengthened after a widely expected interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan. Given this reality,

In a widely anticipated move, the Bank of Japan on Jan. 24 raised its short-term policy rate to 0.50% from 0.25%. Read more here.

Equity benchmarks rose in Tokyo ahead of a key interest rate decision by the Bank of Japan later Friday, where a hike is expected. Stocks also rose in Sydney and Seoul. The S&P 500 advanced 0.5%, with the gauge topping the 6,

Meanwhile, in a bid to shore up its ailing equity market ahead, the China Securities Regulatory Commission said mutual funds should raise their holdings of onshore equities by at least 10% annually for the next three years, while large state-owned insurers will need to invest 30% of their new policy premiums from 2025.

Orders underscored upbeat business sentiment, supporting market bets on a Bank of Japan rate hike on Friday, January 24. The pickup in business sentiment could boost employment and wages ...

Now, that being said, keep in mind that the Bank of Japan has a meeting on Friday, and that of course comes into the picture for a little bit of momentum as far as where we go later this week.

Oil fell after President Donald Trump urged OPEC to lower crude prices and said he will push for interest-rate cuts. Equity benchmarks rose in Tokyo ahead of a key interest rate decision by the Bank of Japan later Friday, where a hike is expected.

Oil fell after President Donald Trump urged OPEC to lower crude prices and said he will push for interest-rate cuts. Equity benchmarks rose in Tokyo ahead of a key interest rate decision by the Bank of Japan later Friday, where a hike is expected.