<div id="readability-page-1">By Leika Kihara WASHINGTON, April 17 (Reuters) - Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda refrained from pre-committing to an April rate increase as the Iran war muddled the outlook, but left a few hawkish signs after this week's IMF meetings, suggesting a hike remains on the cards in June, if not this month. While markets focused on a lack of clear hints of an April rate hike, Ueda also did not play</div>

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<p>Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda indicated that while he did not commit to an April rate hike due to uncertainties from the Iran war, he hinted at a potential increase in June following recent IMF meetings. The market noted the absence of clear signals for an immediate hike, but the possibility remains for future adjustments.</p>

- Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda did not commit to a rate increase in April due to uncertainties linked to the Iran war.  
- Despite this, he indicated potential hawkish stances after the IMF meetings, hinting that a rate hike could still occur in June.  
- Markets reacted to Ueda's cautious approach, emphasizing the absence of definitive signals for an April increase.

BOJ's hawkish hints keep rate hike on the cards