ChainCatcher Message, the summary of opinions from the Bank of Japan's December meeting shows that policymakers are divided into two camps, one inclined to spend more time carefully studying the data, while the other believes that the conditions for raising interest rates are maturing. "Although there are still uncertainties in the overseas economy, the Japanese economy is in a position to adjust the degree of monetary easing," one committee member said. "The central bank may decide to raise the policy interest rate in the near future. However, at this point, it is necessary to remain patient and monitor the uncertainties in the U.S. economy until these uncertainties dissipate," another committee member stated. (Jin Shi)