Japan 10Y yield tops 3% for first time since 1996
BOJ rate hikes and tightening signals The Bank of Japan raised its policy rate to 1.25% and signaled faster tightening ahead, pushing the 10-year yield above 3% for the first time since 1996.
This is the main new event that drove the yield surge in Q3.
Strong inflation and wage data Hot inflation, rising Tokyo prices, and strong wages reinforced expectations of further BOJ tightening, adding upward pressure on bond yields.
These data points supported the case for higher rates, a key driver of the yield rise.
Fiscal worries and global selloff Concerns over unfunded tax cuts and record borrowing, plus a global bond selloff, oil above $100, and a weak yen, pushed Japanese yields higher.
These factors added to the upward pressure on yields from fiscal and external sources.
Counterweights slow but don't stop rise Joint yen intervention, weak Q2 GDP growth, foreign buying of long-term JGBs, weak household spending, an IMF debt warning, and fading October hike bets slowed the yield rise but did not reverse it.
These are the main forces that worked against the yield surge, providing a fair picture of the quarter.