BoJ Policy Board member Hajime Takata reaffirmed his view that rate increases should be flexible, weighing overseas conditions against the degree of easing in domestic financial conditions to curb price pressures.

He spoke in Sapporo, Hokkaido, during a gathering with local business leaders on Wednesday.

During the July 30-31 policy meeting, Takata had proposed lifting the policy rate by 25 basis points to 1.25% and was the sole dissenter against keeping rates near 1%.