Bank of Japan officials see a good chance of an interest rate hike next week as long as the arrival of Donald Trump at the White House doesn’t trigger too many negative surprises, according to people familiar with the matter.

Japan's annual wholesale inflation held steady at 3.8% in December on stubbornly high food costs, data showed on Thursday, highlighting persistent price pressures that may prod the central bank to raise interest rates next week.

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said Wednesday the bank will debate whether to raise its key rate at its policy meeting next week a