Japanese Wages Growing Faster, Fueling Speculation of BOJ Rate Hike

Japanese wage growth accelerated to 2% in January, the fastest since June, supporting the case for the BOJ to end negative interest rates.

Real wages continued falling but at the slowest rate in a year, while other wage measures also pointed to underlying strength.

Wage negotiations are reaching a peak, with initial results from Japan's biggest union coming next week.

BOJ officials are gaining confidence in wage growth, signaling a rate hike in March or April according to economists.

Speculation over a BOJ move is intense, with officials providing mixed signals on the timing of a hike.