Masaaki Shirakawa
Shirakawa flags limits of monetary policy
Bank of Japan governor says loose monetary policy is a necessary condition for recovery, but its efficacy is limited and may have unintended consequences
BoJ doing all it can to bolster growth, says Shirakawa
Bank of Japan governor Masaaki Shirakawa points to central bank’s multiple efforts to boost activity
Japan: not a bad record
In the final article of a six-part series on the Japanese economy, Robert Pringle reports from Tokyo on how the crisis has impacted Japan’s global outlook
Shirakawa rights wrongs of ‘lost decade’
Bank of Japan governor challenges barbs over economy’s, and central bank’s, performance over recent decades; calls for “deeper understanding” of liquidity and counterparty risk
Shirakawa applauds Tokyo’s yen sale, analysts less convinced
Bank of Japan governor Masaaki Shirakawa says government’s step to contain soaring yen will lend stability to the currency; markets soar and yen drops, but commentators divided on effect
Shirakawa named Asian Consultative Council chair
Bank of Japan governor Masaaki Shirakawa will take over from Bank Negara Malaysia chief Zeti Akhtar Aziz as chair of council housed within Bank for International Settlements
BoJ expands fixed-rate fund supply on growth, yen fears
Bank of Japan unveils six-month term to existing fixed-rate funds operation; facility to expand by $238 billion on fears of weak US growth, yen strength
BoJ slashes bonuses and top officials’ pay
Bank of Japan shaved $2 billion off 2009 expenditure through salary and spending cuts, annual report shows; lower banknote costs and interest payments also contributed to savings
Bank of Japan watching soaring yen closely
Japanese central bank says it is carefully monitoring strengthening currency and its implications for export market; plummeting confidence in the US recovery sparks worry
Trenchant critique of inflation targeting
In the fourth of a six-part series on the Japanese economy, Robert Pringle reports from Tokyo on how the crisis has impacted Japan’s global outlook
Ex-deputy Muto endorses Bank of Japan’s anti-inflation targeting stance
Former Bank of Japan deputy governor Toshiro Muto says introducing inflation targets, as government wishes, will not cure deflation; analysts agree
Bank of Japan details direct lending programme
Central bank outlines $33 billion quasi-fiscal programme to support economic growth; analysts say measure is a political gesture
Korea's Kim joins push for update to central banks' mandates
Bank of Korea governor Kim Choong-soo calls for rethink on attachment to price stability; says central banks should be equally observant of financial stability
Japan’s new finance minister says government will not interfere in BoJ policy
Japan’s newly appointed finance minister Yoshihiko Noda says current central bank stance is fine
New Japanese PM could pressure BoJ to loosen
Japan’s new prime minister and former Bank of Japan critic Naoto Kan hints at more accommodative monetary policy; analysts think central bank’s independence will not be affected
Shirakawa wants financial stability as primary mandate
Governor of the Bank of Japan believes central banks' key task should be to achieve a stable financial environment; says higher inflation targets would do little good at the zero bound
Japan to make 'new efforts' to boost growth
Bank of Japan introduces new pledge to help lay foundations for strong growth, says it will set up temporary facility to support lending to business
Shirakawa slams inflation-targeting 'fixation'
Bank of Japan governor blames single-minded use of inflation targets for the growth of credit bubbles, says price levels alone do not show health of the economy
BoJ board split on doubling liquidity scheme
Bank of Japan fixed-rate funds operations scheme to be doubled to ¥20 trillion, two board members dissent
Shirakawa slams govt “misunderstanding”
Japanese central bank governor Masaaki Shirakawa defends policy actions and says calls for more monetary easing are fundamentally misguided
Shirakawa pledges to keep policy loose
Japanese governor Masaaki Shirakawa reiterates the central bank’s commitment to tackle deflation as figures show more people expect prices to fall over 2010
Shirakawa on a delicate balancing act
Bank of Japan’s governor notes role of experience in safeguarding stability
Japan’s recovery to be moderate: Shirakawa
Bank of Japan’s Masaaki Shirakawa cautious on economic recovery
Central banking law in the crisis: Shirakawa
BoJ governor says that the crisis has highlighted why central banks need independence; outlines legal developments in central banking