TOKYO, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Japanese government bonds

(JGBs) rallied on Monday ahead of data and speeches from the

central bank that may lend clues on the timing of its next

interest rate hike.

The benchmark 10-year JGB yield fell 1.5

basis point (bp) to 1.64%. The five-year yield

edged 0.5 bp lower to 1.22%.

Yields on short- and medium-term JGBs jumped to the highest

since 2008 last week as speculation grew about a rate hike by

the Bank of Japan as early as this month. Super-long bonds have

rallied of late as yields near record highs drew in buyers and

concerns about political uncertainty and fiscal deficits eased.

The BOJ's closely watched Tankan survey of corporate

sentiment is due on Wednesday, followed by speeches from Deputy

Governor Shinichi Uchida and Governor Kazuo Ueda later in the

week.

The central bank may signal "changes in the nuance of its

statements, leading to heightened caution in the market," said

Resona Holdings' chief strategist Shinsuke Kajita.

"There's a sense that the ultra-long-term zone is becoming

easier to buy," he added.

Markets have priced in roughly a 50% chance that the BOJ

will raise rates in October. Also in focus is a party election

on Saturday that will determine Japan's next prime minister

following the resignation of fiscal hawk Shigeru Ishiba.

The 20-year yield fell 2 bps to 2.605%, while

the 30-year yield slid 2 bps to 3.145%.