The Bank of Japan raised interest rates on Friday to their highest since the 2008 global financial crisis, underscoring its confidence that rising wages will keep inflation stable around its 2% target.

The Bank of Japan raised its key policy rate to the highest level since 2008 and took a more bullish view on the strength of inflation.

Japan's central bank has raised its key interest rate to about 0.5% from 0.25%, noting that inflation is holding at a desirable target level.

The Bank of Japan raised interest rates on Friday to their highest since the 2008 global financial crisis and revised up its inflation forecasts, underscoring its confidence that rising wages will keep inflation stable around its 2% target.

The decision marks BOJ's first-rate hike since July last year. Interestingly, the rate hike came days after the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump. Ahead of potential repercussions from threatened higher tariffs,