Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda arrives to conduct an interview with a small group of journalists in Tokyo on May 25, 2023. Richard A. Brooks | AFP | Getty ImagesAnalysts are split over the Bank of Japan's moves after the country's core inflation came in above the central bank's target of 2% for the 15th straight month. CLSA Japan strategist Nicholas Smith is of the view that the BOJ has been "wrong-footed" on inflation. Under the YCC policy, the central bank targets short-term interest rates at -0.1% and the 10-year government bond yield at 0.5% above or below zero, with the aim of maintaining the inflation target at 2%. To Smith, there is "plenty of probability" for the BOJ to shift its stance on YCC at the next central bank meeting next Friday.

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Persons: Kazuo Ueda, Richard A, Brooks, Nicholas Smith, Smith, CNBC's, Tetsufumi Yamakawa, Yamakawa, I've Organizations: Japan, AFP, Getty, Bank of, Reuters, Barclays Locations: Tokyo, Japan