15年來最高水準
The Bank of Japan moved to raise short-term interest rates to their highest level in 15 years — 0.25% — on July 31.
日本央行於7月31日將短期利率調升至15年來最高水準——0.25%。
raise(v.)提高、提升、提出
In June, the BOJ had kept rates at 0% to 0.1%.
在6月時，日本央行將利率維持在0%至0.1%之間。
at the age of~以～的年紀at the speed of~以～的速度at the altitude of~以～的海拔高度
However, minutes from a policy meeting around that time, which were released on Aug. 5, show that at least two of the BOJ’s nine board members were already beginning to shift their attitudes toward raising interest rates.
不過，8月5日公布的政策會議記錄顯示，日本央行九名董事中至少有兩名董事對升息的態度已經開始轉變。
the minutes會議記錄release(v.)發布、發行board (of directors)董事會attitude toward(s) 對～的態度have a positive attitude towards life有積極的人生觀
According to Reuters, discussions at the meeting touched on the need to make changes to monetary policy as a means of dealing with inflationary factors.
根據路透社報導，會議上討論了需要調整貨幣政策，以應對通膨因素。
touch (up)on提到、觸及monetary policy貨幣政策as a means of~作為...的手段或方法means(n.)(單複數同型)手段、方法inflation(n.)通貨膨脹inflationary(adj.)通貨膨脹的
One of these factors was the yen’s falling exchange rate with the U.S. dollar.
其中一個因素是日圓兌美元的匯率下跌。
exchange rate匯率with(prep.)兌換=against
Around the time of the June meeting, yen was valued at 157 to the dollar.
在6月的會議舉行前後，日圓兌美元匯率為157。
be valued at...定價、估值多少～
However, this rate decreased to a 38-year-low in July — under 161 yen per dollar.
然而，匯率在7月降至38年來的新低——低於1美元兌161日圓。
decrease(v.)下降=drop
The minutes reveal that weak yen was one of the main indicators board members noted would make raising interest rates necessary.
會議紀錄顯示，日圓疲弱是董事會成員指出有必要升息的主要指標之一。
indicator(n.)指標
This information from the meeting minutes puts the BOJ’s July 31 move into perspective, showing that the decision to hike rates had already been discussed by the board when previous rates were maintained.
會議記錄中的這一信息使我們更了解日本央行在7月31日決策的背景，顯示董事會在維持先前的利率時，已經討論過升息的決定。
put…into perspective使理性、通盤觀察某件事hike(v.)(n.)增加、上升hike rates升息maintain(v.)維持
Also, the 7-2 vote of board members to raise rates in July shows that it only took a month for the views of the few wanting to tighten monetary policy in June to become the dominant attitude on the board.
另外，7月時董事會以7票對2票通過升息的決定，顯示6月時少數希望收緊貨幣政策的意見，已經在短短一個月內，成為董事會上的主流看法。
also(adv.)另外=in additiondominant(adj.)優勢的、主導的
After announcing the rate hike, BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda noted that the bank will “keep raising rates” if inflation stays on track.
日本央行行長植田和男在宣布升息後指出，如果通膨仍然保持在預期範圍內，央行將「繼續升息」。
hike(n.)上升on track穩步前進、踏上正軌、有望成功
He also said that the bank will slow down its bond buying starting in 2026.
他還表示，日本央行將從2026年開始縮減購買國債的規模。
slow down減慢speed up加快bond(n.)債券