Japan’s bond selloff is gathering pace

Japan’s bond market has been sliding all week, with the 10-year yield now near 2.37% and the 40-year pushing above 4.2%, both multi-decade highs.

The pressure intensified after PM Sanae Takaichi called a February 8 snap election and floated unfunded tax cuts, just as the Bank of Japan continues to step back from market support.

What began as a local repricing is now spilling into global rates, with investors watching closely for signs Tokyo may be forced to intervene.