BoJ's Uchida: To nimbly increase bond buying if yields surge

BOJ Deputy Governor Uchida: Moderate recovery in Japan, with some areas still weak. BOJ Deputy Governor Uchida: Significant slowdown risk has decreased. BOJ Deputy Governor Uchida: Economy developing largely in line with baseline outlook. BoJ's Uchida: real interest rates have been negative mainly in short-, medium-term zone BoJ's Uchida: Need to pay close attention to how Middle East developments affect financial, FX markets, and the Japanese economy and prices

Japan finance minister holds back comment on BOJ decision pending deputy governor briefing. Japan finance minister: Responsibility lies in sound economic and fiscal policy management.

RBA Gov Bullock: Does Not Rule Out Further Tightening If Needed - Inflation Remains Too High -Flow Of Data Consistent With Our Expectations -Reports Of Peace Deal In Middle East Is Welcome News -Resolution Could Take A Long Time -Oil Prices Remain High -Some Signs Higher Costs… RBA Governor Bullock: Lower inflation requires weaker demand. RBA Governor Bullock: Economy can grow at trend only with stable inflation. RBA’s Bullock: Inflation still carries upside risks; monthly data volatile, more tightening possible.

BoJ's Uchida: Today's decision took into account the risk of having to raise rates by a large margin if policy adjustment is delayed BoJ's Uchida: not thinking about changing pace of ETF offloading, buying or selling BoJ's Uchida: 2 trillion yen pace of JGB buying would still adequately adjust the balance sheet BOJ'S UCHIDA: NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF UPWARD RISKS AS UNDERLYING INFLATION APPROACHES 2%

IRAN'S MINISTER OF ENERGY: IRAN WILL SOON CONNECT ITS ELECTRICITY GRID WITH QATAR - TASNIM