Japan finance chief's push for pension funds to buy JGBs draws skepticism

Speculation centers on how world-leading GPIF might shift toward more bond purchases

Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama encouraged the Government Pension Investment Fund on July 10 to invest more in Japanese government bonds. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Nikkei)

TOKYO -- Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama's comments last week looking for pension funds to invest more in domestic assets have sent ripples through the country's bond market on speculation that Tokyo aims to support bond prices and counter a surge in interest rates.