Bank of Japan board member Hajime Takata threw open the door to an interest rate hike and the end of negative interest rates in Japan. His comments led to a nearly 50 pip drop in USD/JPY, easing the climb from earlier in the week. He stopped short of committing to a change in policy but his comments are the strongest hint yet that officials plan to tighten policy and end negative rates. he said that the achievement of the 2% inflation target was in sight. "It's necessary to consider taking a nimble and flexible response, including on how to exit, or shift gear from the current extremely accommodative monetary ... (full story)