[Former BOJ Policy Board Member: Japan Should Adopt a Cautious Approach to Rate Hikes During Economic Growth Push] Jin10 News, December 25 – Former Bank of Japan (BOJ) Policy Board member Takashi Harada recently stated that the central bank should adopt a cautious approach to raising interest rates as the government spares no effort to boost the economy. In an interview, Harada pointed out that the cabinet led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi should fully leverage fiscal, monetary, and tax policies to stimulate demand and achieve the goal of a 'high-pressure economy.' Speaking on the impact of BOJ rate hikes on the economy, he remarked: 'Hasty actions could lead to excessive tightening.' He believes that the current persistent inflation is partly driven by supply-side factors such as rising rice prices and added that further rate hikes may have limited effects in curbing such cost-push inflationary pressures.