The Bank of Japan (BOJ) maintained its interest rate at 0.5% on October 30, as announced by Governor Kazuo Ueda. Ueda indicated that a rate hike could occur as early as December if wage growth remains stable next year. He emphasized the need for more data from early wage negotiations to determine if companies will continue to increase salaries. Despite the hawkish tone, the yen weakened, with markets focusing on Ueda's dismissal of concerns about the BOJ lagging behind inflation risks.