18 out of 19 economists surveyed by CNBC expect the Bank of Japan to raise its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 0.5% this week, the highest level since 2008.

Economists say that Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda's public comments and Deputy Governor Masayoshi Amamiya's speech to business leaders last week both indicate that the Bank of Japan intends to raise interest rates. (Jinshi)