Japan PM Ishiba says he won't intervene in BOJ's rate policy

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Saturday he would not intervene in monetary policy affairs, as the central bank is mandated to achieve price stability.

"It's important to avoid vocally intervening" in monetary policy affairs, or appear as if he was doing so, Ishiba said in a news conference gathering leaders of major parties ahead of the Oct. 27 general election.

"Whatever the government has to say, the Bank of Japan makes an individual decision on policy," Ishiba said. "I believe the BOJ's governor and staff have a strong sense of responsibility over achieving price stability."