TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan does not know how Russia will handle the required rouble payments for its energy sold to "unfriendly" countries, the finance minister said on Thursday.

TOKYO (Reuters) -Bank of Japan policymakers agreed that consumer inflation may overshoot their expectations if companies pass on rising costs quicker than forecast, minutes of the central bank's January meeting showed on Thursday.

Japan has no clue yet about how Russia will carry out its claim to seek a rouble payments scheme for its energy sold to "unfriendly" countries, the finance minister said on Thursday.

Japan's manufacturing activity sped up in March from the prior month as a reduction in COVID-19 cases in the country helped lift orders and production, however, surging input prices and Russia's war in Ukraine clouded the outlook.

South Korea's nominee for its new central bank chief said on Thursday worries about inflationary and economic risks are mounting and that he would thoroughly review how to manage growth, price pressures and financial imbalances.

Bank of Japan policymakers agreed that consumer inflation may overshoot their expectations if companies pass on rising costs quicker than expected, minutes of the central bank's January meeting showed on Thursday.