Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said the timing of the next interest rate hike was "approaching" as the economy was moving in line with the central bank's forecasts, the Nikkei newspaper reported, leaving open the chance of a December rate increase.

With his latest remarks, Ueda leaves open the possibility of a December rate move without boxing himself in to that position.

The Japanese yen rose to a six-week high against the dollar Friday. While trading was thin because of the Black Friday holiday in the U.S., the moves are still worth watching after volatility in the Asian currency sparked market turmoil earlier this year.

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda revealed in an exclusive interview with Nikkei newspaper that the central bank will base whether to hike interest rates on critical economic indicators, particularly wage and inflation data.

BANK of Japan (BOJ) governor Kazuo Ueda said the next interest rate hikes are “nearing in the sense that economic data are on track,” the Nikkei business daily reported on Saturday (Nov 30). Read more at The Business Times.

The yen surged to a six-week high following unexpected inflation increases in Tokyo, heightening speculation of a Bank of Japan interest rate hike. As the dollar weakens due to holiday-thinned trading and previous gains,

The yen jumped more than 1% against the U.S. dollar to a six-week high on Friday after faster-than-expected inflation in Tokyo supported bets for a Bank of Japan interest rate hike next month. The dollar sagged against its peers in trading thinned by the U.

Japanese corporate borrowers are selling bonds at a faster pace as speculation grows the Bank of Japan may raise interest rates again next month.