Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda avoided giving a clear hint that he will raise interest rates at a December meeting during closely watched comments Monday that weakened the yen.

In his last major speech before the BOJ’s Dec. 18-19 meeting, Ueda said the timing of the central bank’s next policy adjustment will depend on the economy and prices, as he reiterated his data-dependent stance and kept his options open over when next to hike rates.

"The actual timing of the adjustments will continue to depend on developments in economic activity and prices as well as financial conditions going forward,” Ueda told local business leaders in Nagoya on Monday.