With the data showing a 0.5 percent rise, the BOJ could take a step forward to shifting the policy without hesitation.

It's very symbolic. It indicates that monetary policy is back to normal and investors are discounting possible future rate hikes.

It's not a good time to hold bonds. Relative to economic fundamentals yields are too low.

Economic growth is better than what was forecast in October, though this needs to be balanced with the fact that inflationary pressures haven't built up as much.