The Bank of Japan holds its first policy meeting of the year next week and the outcome will be announced days after the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Here is a guide on what to expect and why the BOJ's rate review matters: WHEN DOES THE BOJ MEETING TAKE PLACE?

Japan's annual wholesale inflation held steady at 3.8 per cent in December on stubbornly high food costs, data showed on Thursday, highlighting persistent price pressures that may prod the central bank to raise interest rates next week.

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said Wednesday the bank will debate whether to raise its key rate at its policy meeting next week a

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda strengthened speculation of a looming policy move by flagging the decision on whether to raise interest rates at next week’s meeting in a comment that strengthened the yen.

Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda said at an event on Wednesday that the BOJ will raise rates next week if economic indicators show improvement. He added that he is aware of "many positive stories" of higher wages.

The Bank of Japan will debate whether to raise interest rates next week as prospects of sustained wage gains heighten and the U.S. policy outlook becomes clearer in President-elect Donald Trump's inaugural address,

Ueda stated that the timing of interest rate hikes will largely depend on the economic policies of the new U.S. administration and the progress of this year’s wage negotiations in Japan. The yen's USD/JPY pair fell 0.4% on Wednesday, meaning the yen strengthened 0.4% against the U.S. dollar.

T he Bank of Japan’s Deputy Governor, Ryozo Himino, has hinted at a potential interest rate hike during the upcoming policy meeting on January 23-24. In an interview last Friday