Makoto Sakurai, a former member of the Bank of Japan's policy committee, said the possibility that the Bank of Japan will delay raising interest rates until March is increasing in light of the growing uncertainty caused by US President-elect Trump. "When Trump comments on various things, there seems to be too much uncertainty. There may not be enough reason to support a rate hike in January." Sakurai's remarks come as Bank of Japan watchers are looking for hints of a rate hike this month or later. Sakurai believes there is a as high as 70% chance of a rate hike in March, as the Bank of Japan may prefer to wait until the first few months of a new Trump administration are clearer before acting. (Jin Ten)