Japan to hike interest rates for first time in six years (AFP)

TOKYO (AFP) - The Bank of Japan will raise interest rates next week for the first time in nearly six years in a sign that the Japanese economy is gaining momentum, news reports say. With Japan expected to shake off deflation, the central bank has judged that all conditions have been met for a rate hike, the Asahi Shimbun said, without citing sources. Governor Toshihiko Fukui will propose a rate hike during a two-day policy meeting Thursday-Friday, with a majority of the board members expected to ...