Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda's recent comments have created uncertainty in the markets regarding the timing of a potential interest rate hike, resulting in a weakening of the yen.

Ueda emphasized in his final major address before the BOJ's upcoming meeting on December 18-19 that any policy adjustments will depend on economic conditions and price movements, indicating a data-driven approach. This suggests that the central bank is keeping its options open for future rate increases, leading to speculation among investors.

The absence of a clear timeline for a rate hike has increased market volatility, reflecting concerns about Japan's economic outlook and inflation trends.