Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino said timely interest-rate increases could prevent inflation from rising sharply and forcing abrupt hikes later. With underlying inflation approaching the Bank of Japan's 2% target, he called for greater attention to upside price risks and in-depth deliberations at each monetary policy meeting. Himino said tighter financial conditions could direct assets more efficiently toward investments with growth potential, while the impact of exchange-rate moves on inflation would remain a key policy consideration.