Bank of Japan (BoJ)
No honeymoon for Fukui
The world is looking for fresh, decisive policies from the new central bank governor. What can he do? Tomohiko Taniguchi reports from Tokyo.
How Fukui should deal with deflation
In the first of a two-part feature on Japan, Andrew Smithers discusses the economic solutions and political obstructions to reviving the stagnant economy.
BoJ drawing up plan to bolster capital adequacy
The Bank of Japan is planning to ask the Finance Ministry if it can increase the level of its capital reserves to offset the adverse impact from a growing amount of stocks and other riskier assets, according to the Asahi Shimbun.
LDP's Yamasaki says expects more steps from BOJ
A senior Japanese politician said on Wednesday 16 April he had confidence that the Bank of Japan would adopt new measures to boost Japan's ailing economy, Reuters reports.
Bank of Japan Monthly Report, April 2003
The Bank of Japan published its Monthly Report of Recent Economic and Financial Developments, April 2003, on 10 April. In the report the BOJ acknowledged that economic activity remained flat. But it was more upbeat about business investment and said…
Minutes of Japan's Monetary Policy Meeting
Minutes of the Bank of Japan's Monetary Policy Meeting on 4 and 5 March 2003 were released on 11 April. A member of the Policy Board said that the central bank could adopt operations that influenced asset prices as a way of boosting the economy.
BoJ takes emergency stability measures
The Bank of Japan has taken emergency measures to shore up the financial system as the US led war on Iraq begins. Toshihiko Fukui began his first day as the governor of the BOJ saying on Thursday "The Bank of Japan closely monitors associated economic…
Outgoing BoJ chief doubts market interventions use
Speaking on Friday Bank of Japan governor Masaru Hayami said he thought central banks attempts to intervene in the foreign exchange market were not vary effective.
Bank of Japan Press Release, 5 Mar
PRESS RELEASE - Decision from the Bank of Japan Monetary Policy Meeting, 5 March.
Incoming BOJ Gov. Fukui mustn't be an also-ran
ARTICLE - This article provides some background on the new governor of the Bank of Japan Toshihiko Fukui. At one time, it says, Fukui was at the forefront of moves to reform the central bank, which had been disparagingly described as "nothing more than a…
Bank of Japan warned on asset holdings
Having made significant stock purchases as part of its policy against non-performing loans outgoing governor of the Bank of Japan Masaru Hayami has said further falls in asset prices could leave the Bank dangerously exposed.
Hayami - Towards a sustainable growth path
SPEECH - In the speech 'Towards a Sustainable Growth Path' Masaru Hayami of the Bank of Japan said that during his five years at the BOJ the Bank been exploring what a central bank can and cannot do in order to get Japan's economy back on track. He said…
Shiokawa to press new BOJ gov to relax mon policy
Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa is set to ask Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor designate Toshihiko Fukui to further relax the central bank's monetary policy.
Minutes of Japan's Monetary Policy Meeting
MINUTES - Minutes of the Bank of Japan's Monetary Policy Meeting on 21 and 22 January 2003, released 19 February. One member pointed out that inflation targeting had never been adopted for the purpose of overcoming deflation by any central bank overseas,…
BOJ said inflation needs fiscal, FX moves- minutes
Bank of Japan Policy Board members said in their January 21-22 meeting that boosting prices in the short term would require large-scale fiscal spending or manipulation of foreign exchange rates, minutes showed on Wednesday.
Bank of Japan Monthly Report, February 2003
REPORT - The Bank of Japan published its Monthly Report of Recent Economic and Financial Developments, February 2003, on 18 February. "Economic activity remains flat amid substantial uncertainty about the outlook for the economy," the report said. One…
Japan PM nearing decision on central bank chief
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is near a decision on a successor for outgoing Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Masaru Hayami, whose five-year term ends 19 March, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda indicated Tuesday.
BOJ to avoid Hayami appearing as lame duck
The appointment of a new Bank of Japan governor may not come until after the Group of Seven meeting 21-22 February in Paris, Japan's chief government spokesman said Monday.
Koizumi puts off BOJ chief choice
The government has postponed the selection of the next Bank of Japan governor, fuelling speculation the prime minister has not found a ``deflation fighter'' who can rescue the economy.
Ex-BOJ Matsushima: need broad, combined policy
ARTICLE - Japan will succeed in ridding its economy of deflation only when the government and the Bank of Japan implement a coordinated, broad-based policy, according to an ex-BOJ senior official.
Kikuo Iwata: BOJ needs inflation target
INTERVIEW - The Bank of Japan should set a mild inflation target to defeat deflation, says Kikuo Iwata, a Gakushuin University professor, who believes that unless deflation is stopped, there can be no business revival nor fiscal reform.
The next BOJ governor
ARTICLE - The article sets out some of the qualities the next governor of the Bank of Japan must have and says he should be selected with an eye to the future. But the door should be left open to all qualified persons, including ex-bureaucrats as well as…
Interview with Nobuyuki Nakahara
INTERVIEW - Currently an adviser to Japan's Financial Services Agency Nobuyuki Nakahara is a favourite to land the job of governor of the Bank of Japan in March. In the interview he said the introduction of a 1-3 per cent inflation target would serve as…
Koizumi moves away from inflation target idea
More LDP members oppose plans to have the Bank of Japan set price-increase goals. Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is shying away from promoting inflation targets to fight falling prices amid rising calls from within the ruling party for Japan…