Japan's central bank board member Ayano Sato supports gradually raising interest rates, stating that tighter policy can contribute to sustainable economic growth. However, she declined to specify the timing of the next hike. Sato, who opposed a rate hike at September’s meeting, said her decision at the time reflected concern that consumer spending lacked momentum. Her support for eventual tightening could reinforce the BOJ’s broader normalization path despite caution over domestic demand.