Context & sources

The news context

The September 18 decision passed 7–2 and takes effect September 24. The bank cited risks that underlying inflation would exceed its 2% target; dissenters questioned whether conditions justified another increase. (boj.or.jp) CNA’s interviews highlighted the pressure that expensive imports and a weak yen put on households. (channelnewsasia.com) Reuters reported that the currency fell despite the hike, with traders disappointed by the split vote and guidance about future tightening. This was a market reaction, not proof that the policy will fail to contain inflation. (aol.com)

This cartoon is satire. Its visual dialogue is invented; the linked reporting provides the factual background.

  1. Change in the Guideline for Money Market Operations ↗
  2. BOJ raises interest rates to 31-year high in widely expected move ↗
  3. BOJ rate hike signals faster pace of tightening amid inflation risks, weak yen: Economists ↗
  4. Dollar jumps against yen as BOJ dissent clouds rate-hike outlook ↗
Read the comic transcript

BANK OF JAPAN
POLICY RATE:
1% → 1.25%
ANNOUNCED
We raised the rate.
Did anyone tell the yen?
comicoftheday.com · 18 SEP 2026 · SATIRE