Good morning. The Bank of Japan raises its interest rate to the highest level in 17 years. Inflation concerns may be making a comeback in the euro area. And the rise of women’s soccer in England is hiding a financial struggle.

The Bank of Japan (BoJ) has raised its key short-term interest rate by 25 basis points to 0.5%, marking the highest level since 2008.

The Bank of Japan has raised short-term interest rates by a quarter point, the highest in 17 years, signalling efforts to normalise monetary policy in response to persistent inflation and increasing wages.

Japan's central bank has increased the cost of borrowing to its highest level in 17 years after consumer price rises accelerated in December. The move by the Bank of Japan (BOJ) to raise its short-term policy rate to "around 0.5 per cent" comes just hours after the latest economic data showed prices rose last month at the fastest pace in 16 months.

The Bank of Japan raised interest rates on Friday to their highest since the 2008 global financial crisis and revised up its inflation forecasts, underscoring its confidence that rising wages will keep inflation stable around its 2% target.

World shares advanced Friday after U.S. stocks rose to a record and the Bank of Japan raised its key lending rate.

The Bank of Japan delivered a widely expected 25 basis point hike to its key lending rate on Friday, bringing the overnight call rate to the highest since 2008 and putting pressure on the dollar. The ICE Dollar Index slipped 0.

The Bank of Japan is holding a policy meeting from Thursday, with attention on whether it will raise interest rates again for the first time since July.

The Bank of Japan raised interest rates on Friday to their highest since the 2008 global financial crisis, underscoring its confidence that rising wages will keep inflation stable around its 2% target.

Japan's core consumer prices rose 3.0% in December year-on-year to mark the fastest annual pace in 16 months, likely cementing a central bank rate hike later in the day and retaining bets that borrowing costs will keep rising from ultra-low levels.

The BOJ concludes its two-day policy meeting later in the day and markets have fully priced in a 25-basis-point hike, with comments from BOJ officials in recent times also hinting at such a move. Ahead of the decision, the yen was little changed at 156.11 per dollar, languishing near a one-week low hit in the previous session.