Bank of Japan policymakers are preparing a series of closely watched speeches ahead of the BOJ’s September 17-18 policy meeting, as expectations grow that the central bank will deliver another interest rate hike. The speeches could provide important clues about the Bank of Japan’s interest rate outlook and the likelihood of a September rate increase. Expectations for a September BOJ rate hike have strengthened following last week’s coordinated Japan-U.S. intervention in the foreign exchange market to support the yen. Its latest rate increase came in June, when the BOJ lifted its policy rate to 1%, the highest level in 31 years. Investors will therefore closely monitor the upcoming BOJ speeches for signals about the pace of future rate hikes.