[Economist: Bank of Japan May Stand Pat, But It Doesn't Mean Rate Hike Timing Will Be Delayed] Jin10 Data, April 27 – Kei Fujimoto, an economist at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management, stated that the Bank of Japan is expected to keep its policy rate at 0.75% on Tuesday. However, even if it pauses action, it does not necessarily mean the timing of a rate hike will be further delayed. He said, 'The Bank of Japan has repeatedly emphasized that the financial environment remains accommodative, and its policy stance still carries a tightening bias.' The economist added, 'If Middle East tensions ease and uncertainty decreases even slightly, the likelihood of a rate hike in June or July will increase.'