Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda has decided not to attend the Federal Reserve's Jackson Hole economic policy symposium, according to reports by Kyodo News and the Nikkei today (the 26th).

The BOJ announced that instead of Governor Ueda, board member Naoki Tamura will attend the event held in western Wyoming, USA, from the 27th to the 29th local time.

The BOJ did not explicitly state the reason for his absence.

However, it explained that the decision was not due to health reasons, but rather a comprehensive consideration of scheduling.

Governor Ueda is scheduled to attend the Group of 20 (G20) Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting, which will be held in Asheville, North Carolina, in the southern US from the 31st to September 1.

The Jackson Hole Symposium is an annual economic policy symposium hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, one of the 12 regional Federal Reserve Banks, serving as a gathering for central bank chiefs from major countries to discuss economic conditions.

This year's event is drawing particular attention as Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh is scheduled to deliver his keynote address, marking his first attendance at the symposium since taking office.

Governor Ueda's absence is drawing attention to the background, as it comes amid pressure from the US government on Japan to raise interest rates.

He attended the symposium in 2023 and 2025.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has pressured Governor Ueda to raise interest rates, stating that additional monetary policy measures are needed following the joint US-Japan foreign exchange market intervention.

(Photo: Yonhap News)