Japan's central bank raised interest rates on Friday.
日本央行在週五調高利率。
The main interest rate went up from 1.0% to 1.25%.
基準利率從1.0%升到1.25%。
This is the highest in 31 years.
這是31年來最高。
For many years, the central bank kept rates near zero.
央行多年來把利率保持在接近零。
It did this to encourage borrowing and spending.
這樣做是為了鼓勵借錢和花錢。
It also wanted to fight falling prices and help the economy.
也為了對抗物價下跌,讓經濟變好。
This time, the rate that went up is the overnight call rate.
這次調高的是無擔保隔夜拆借利率。
People already knew about this decision.
這個決定大家早就知道。
The two-day meeting ended. The central bank announced this decision.
兩天的會議結束時,央行宣布了這個決定。
Recently, most world markets also expected this.
最近全球市場也大多這樣預期。
Governor Kazuo Ueda said he thought about several risks when he decided.
總裁植田和男說,做決定時考慮了幾個風險。
These include the war in Iran, more demand for AI, and changes in exchange rates.
包括伊朗戰爭、市場對人工智慧的需求變大,還有匯率變動。
He told reporters that Japan's economy is slowly getting better.
他告訴記者,日本經濟正在慢慢變好。
Price increases are already close to the 2% target.
物價上漲已經接近2%的目標。
Ueda said two of the nine members disagreed.
植田說,九名委員中有兩名反對。
They worry the economy is not growing fast enough.
他們擔心經濟成長不夠強。
Analysts say rates may rise again later this year. Or they may rise early next year.
分析師說,今年晚一點或明年初可能再升息。
Ueda stressed he needs more time to see if prices stay steady.
植田強調,需要更多時間看物價上漲是否穩定。
He must also watch if wages grow. He must watch other risks too.
也要注意薪水有沒有成長,還有其他風險。
The US Federal Reserve also raised interest rates this week.
美國聯準會本週也調高利率。
This is the first time since 2023.
這是2023年以來第一次。
The goal is to bring down very high price increases.
目的是壓下很高的物價上漲。
The US also kept asking Japan to raise rates. It worries the yen is too weak.
美國也一直要日本升息,因為擔心日圓太弱。
The two countries recently acted together to support the yen.
兩國最近一起出手,支撐日圓。
Even though the Bank of Japan raised rates, the dollar still got stronger.
雖然日本央行升息,美元還是變強。
The dollar went above 157 yen at one point.
美元一度超過157日圓。
Earlier this year, the dollar went above 160 yen.
今年早些時候,美元曾超過160日圓。
S&P Global Market Intelligence economist Harumi Taguchi said oil prices have been very high.
標普全球市場財智經濟學家田口晴美說,原油價格一直很高。
So she thinks the Bank of Japan will raise rates again soon.
所以她認為日本央行會早一點再升息。
This can stop prices from rising more than basic inflation.
這樣可以防止物價上漲超過基本物價上漲。
She also said higher rates may hurt the economy.
她還說,利率變高也可能拖累經濟。
Small companies pay more to borrow, and home loans cost more too.
因為中小企業借錢變貴,房貸也變貴。
Analysts also worry about one thing.
分析師也擔心一件事。
Public debt is already big. The government of PM Takaichi also promises to spend a lot.
公共債務已經很多,首相高市早苗的政府還承諾大筆花錢。
For example, tax cuts and big defense spending.
例如減稅和大型國防投資。
After the decision, Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index went up.
決定公布後,東京的日經225指數上漲。
It rose a little, by 1.4%.
小漲1.4%。