BOJ seen adopting 'ambiguity' on future rate hikes

Investors seeking clarity from the Bank of Japan on how much higher interest rates could go could be disappointed, former central bank officials say, as clear-cut estimates on neutral interest rates are too difficult and even counterproductive.

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Governor Kazuo Ueda's hawkish signals on Monday have led markets to almost fully price in the chance of a hike in the BOJ's policy rate to 0.75% from 0.5% in December.

He also said the central bank will offer clearer guidance on how far its policy rate is from the neutral rate - or the level that neither stimulates nor cools growth - heightening attention to what signals he may drop on the future rate-hike path.