NEW LEADER COMPLICATES BOJ RATE HIKES Upon winning the race, Takaichi made clear the government will take the lead in setting fiscal and monetary policy – and that her priority would be to reflate demand and the broader economy. Her ascension makes it more likely the Bank of Japan will refrain from raising rates on October 30, analysts say. The BOJ ended decades of massive stimulus last year, raising its policy rate to 0.5% in January on the view Japan was on the cusp of durably achieving its 2% inflation target. "Given her reflationist streak, there's a chance Takaichi could meddle in monetary policy," said former BOJ board member Takahide Kiuchi, who expects no rate hike this month. Diplomatic considerations could also affect Takaichi's stance on monetary policy, some analysts say.