The Bank of Japan is likely to raise interest rates next week barring any market shocks when U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office, and maintain a pledge to keep pushing up borrowing costs if the economy continues to recover,

TOKYO -- A majority of the Bank of Japan 's policy board is likely to favor an additional rate hike at the monetary policy meeting to be held next Thursday and Friday, multiple sources have told Nikkei, which would raise the BOJ's policy rate to 0.5%, a 17-year-high.

BOJ Gov. Kazuo Ueda reinforced his deputy’s message this week that his board will consider a rate hike at the meeting, boosting the yen and expectations for action.

The yen was poised on Friday for its strongest weekly performance in over a month as expectations grow that the Bank of Japan will raise rates next week, putting the dollar on the back foot ahead of Donald Trump's return to the White House.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said on Thursday the central bank will debate next week whether to raise interest rates, based on its fresh quarterly growth and inflation forecasts.