BOJ Seen Keeping Rates Unchanged, But Closer to Ending Negative Rate Policy
• BOJ expected to keep policy settings unchanged; attention on Governor Ueda's assessment of progress toward sustainable inflation needed to end negative rates
• Most economists see April as likely timing for scrapping negative rate given incoming data on wages, economy
• Signs of solid wage growth this year; Ueda may strike brighter tone on likelihood of hitting 2% inflation target
• Impact of recent earthquake, slush fund scandal reduce chances of rate hike at this meeting
• Updated economic projections likely to show lower growth, inflation forecasts largely due to lower oil prices