Japan’s 10-year government bond yield declined to around 3% on Tuesday, reaching its lowest level in nearly three weeks and tracking a broader retreat in global bond yields as the recent selloff in government debt lost momentum. Investors also responded to data showing Japan’s producer prices rose 6.8% in September, below market expectations of 7.6% and marking the slowest increase since May. Nevertheless, the figures pointed to persistent inflationary pressures, reinforcing expectations of a potential near-term interest rate hike. Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said the timing and pace of future rate increases would depend on how rising wholesale prices pass through to consumer inflation and the resulting impact on consumption. However, uncertainty remained over whether the central bank would raise rates again this month, although markets continued to anticipate a possible move in December or January.