Bank of Japan Raises Interest Rates to Highest Level in 30 Years NYT | Top Stories River Akira Davis 19 December 2025 at 16:24 The Bank of Japan moved to slow inflation as the prime minister is borrowing more to fund an ambitious effort to build up industry and support households. © Greg Baker/Agence France-Presse — Getty ImagesThe rate increase is widely viewed as an attempt to ultimately help cool inflation and give wages a chance to keep up.