Japan
Bernanke urges BoJ to keep up its easing efforts
Former Fed chair recommends the central bank continue its aggressive easing, though he concedes “bad luck” could yet cause it to fail
Tackling the ‘human agency’ problem
Central banks are readying their communication strategies to mitigate a populist backlash against their post-crisis policies
Kuroda cautions banks about keeping in step with fintech innovation
Bank’s business models could come under threat if institutions are unwilling to embrace fintech; regulatory sandboxes offer safe space to embrace it, says BoJ governor
Bank of Italy paper finds no evidence of asset over-valuation
Researchers look at data from eurozone, Japan and US from 1980 to 2017
The BoJ’s risky yield curve control experiment
The Bank of Japan’s experiment with yield curve control could work if appropriate targets and communication strategies were applied. But its current policy objectives are muddled
BoJ should provide ‘more realistic’ projections – former policy board member
Claims constant overestimation of inflation expectations undermines credibility
BoJ’s Nakaso says digital currencies would allow ‘wider access’ to payments
Replacing banknotes with digital currencies would be “extreme”, deputy governor says, but would allow “wider access” to central bank payment infrastructure
BoJ board nominations add to dovish slant
Japan’s government has nominated two economists seen as likely to support further easing, in the place of two frequent dissenters
‘Urgent’ action needed to boost bank profits – BoJ report
Financial system report notes bank profit margins have been squeezed, but says sufficient capital is supporting lending for the time being
BoJ paper sketches ‘vicious circle’ behind productivity traps
“Lacklustre” economic reforms and firms’ unwillingness to innovate may create a “negatively reinforcing” loop, the authors warn
BoJ builds on BIS banking statistics
Researchers break down the statistics further, shedding new light on patterns of cross-border banking
BoJ minutes highlight hopeful signs for Japanese economy
Members highlight “more solid” recovery supported by a pick-up in exports and production, although inflation is still sluggish
Japan and Singapore agree regulatory fast-tracking of fintech companies
“Framework agreement” also provides for information-sharing on fintech innovations
BoJ working to earthquake-proof its headquarters
Historic building has survived major disasters in the past, but the BoJ now wants to put the 75,000 ton building on “seismic isolation bearings”
Kuroda flags need for better network of emergency forex liquidity
Bank of Japan governor warns network of swap lines among major central banks may not be enough as systemic banks reach into a broader set of regions
BoJ’s Nakaso: inflation on upward path this year
Pressure on wages, rising commodity prices and a turnaround in expectations will drive up prices, deputy says; rejects calls for rate hike
BoJ acts to thwart pressure on yields
Central bank commitment to yield curve control faces first serious test; BoJ launches unlimited purchases to hold yield down
BoJ ups growth forecast after Trump shock
Improvements in overseas economies and yen weakness prompt central bank to revise up its growth forecast, though inflation is largely unchanged; policy remains on hold
Non-banks may amplify risks from policy divergence, Nakaso warns
Non-banks may be less constrained than banks in supplying dollar funding, but it could dry up at the first sign of trouble; the BoJ starts stress testing foreign currency liquidity
Yield curve control has long history – BoJ’s Amamiya
BoJ’s policy of controlling long-run rates is not as unconventional as many critics argue, executive director says
FSB: Japan should strengthen financial stability framework
Latest peer review says Japan has work to do in improving the macro-prudential framework and clarifying approach to resolution
Yen weakness brings relief for Bank of Japan
Policy on hold, but central bank sees brighter outlook for 2017; yen close to lowest level this year, following Trump shock
Bank of Japan to launch new website in time for 2017
New responsive design will include information from the old site displayed in new format; central bank has set second launch date in case of “delays”
BoJ paper designs new measure of trend inflation
Author’s measure reflects the weighted average of an adaptive component and a forward-looking component