Japan
IMF paper considers corporate governance reform in Japan
IMF researchers say corporate governance reform could help ‘unstash the cash’ held by Japanese firms and improve the economy’s growth potential
Japan's ageing population will have deflationary effects, IMF paper finds
Deflationary effect will hit other advanced economies too, but can be countered through monetary policy and structural reforms, IMF economists write
Shrinking BoJ balance sheet will take longer post-QQE than in 2006
Economist says unwinding the BoJ’s asset purchases will take longer when QQE finishes than it did at the end of QE in 2006, because this time it is buying bonds with longer maturities
IMF endorses Japan's QQE despite slowing progress to 2% inflation target
IMF says Bank of Japan does not need to intensify its QQE programme ‘at this point’, though BoJ policy-maker Kiuchi says 2% inflation may need to be a 'long-term' goal
Kuroda says ‘prompt action’ needed to address impact of demographic changes
Bank of Japan governor tells Asian policy-makers to face up to the problems created by a shrinking working age population ‘at an early stage’
BoJ board members fear structural problems behind sluggish exports
A ‘few’ members of the policy board are concerned that competitiveness issues are to blame for slow growth in Japanese exports
Chiang Mai Initiative doubled in size to $240 billion
Financial safety net for China, Japan, Korea and the Asean nations doubled in size; Bill Allen describes the initiative as 'ornamental' as it has never actually been used
Nakaso backs BoJ to exit QQE smoothly
Bank of Japan the only central bank with experience in exiting QE; Hiroshi Nakaso says it has an ‘extensive’ range of instruments at its disposal
BoJ deputy says Abe's third arrow must hit target
Hiroshi Nakaso outlines the importance of supply-side reforms in generating stable inflation, robust growth, healthy job creation and reasonable wage hikes
BoJ minutes reveal concern over supply-side issues
Policy board members say that while QQE is supporting higher levels of demand in the economy, it is also contributing to supply-side problems such as labour shortages
People: Venezuela finance minister to sit on central bank board; and more
Venezuelan finance minister gets a seat on the central bank board; Bank of Japan London representative moves home to head up international division; and more
Kuroda says 'premature' end of QE damaged BoJ credibility
Haruhiko Kuroda says the ‘somewhat premature’ ending of quantitative easing in 2006 made it hard for BoJ to gain credibility as a ‘deflation fighter’
BoJ’s Sato warns ECB about deflation risk
Bank of Japan policy board member says markets’ short- and medium-term inflation expectations have ‘started to decline somewhat’ in the eurozone
IMF says Japan's 'aggressive' QQE could be needed for ‘extended period’
The Bank of Japan may have to keep QQE running for ‘an extended period of time’ according to the IMF, and should consider providing forward guidance on its asset purchases
BoJ’s Shirai forecasts inflation dip
Sayuri Shirai believes annual CPI inflation will only reach the 2% target at the end of 2016 – making the forecasts more cautious than the BoJ’s baseline
Kuroda: rising inflation expectations feeding into wages
Tightening labour market conditions and higher inflation expectations are both serving to increase wages, Kuroda tells Tokyo audience
BoJ has increased income inequality, says Dutch paper
Researchers at The Netherlands Bank say the Bank of Japan’s asset purchases have contributed to the country’s income inequality by pushing up asset prices
BoJ takes financial system's temperature
Bank of Japan says financial systems are generally healthy and resilient, but could be impacted by an economic downturn coupled with a rise in interest rates
BoJ review dissects inflation expectations
Economists from monetary analysis department say BoJ communication has generated a 'spike' in expectations around 2%, but dispersion is still ‘substantial’
BoJ mimics Fed with new 'organisational principles’
The Bank of Japan adopts a similar range of values to the Federal Reserve, while setting its strategic goals for the next five years
Japan FSA proposes two phases for mandatory clearing
The proposals would force financial institutions to clear their yen interest rate swaps, although insurance companies and pension funds are absent from JFSA plans
BoJ’s Iwata dismisses hyperinflation fears
Bank of Japan deputy governor insists the central bank is not just committed to achieving 2% target when the economy is struggling with deflation
Kuroda: BoJ will do whatever necessary to hit 2% inflation
The Bank of Japan is right to target 2% inflation, governor Haruhiko Kuroda said today - adding the bank will not hesitate to make any adjustments necessary to get there
Kuroda confident of hitting inflation target
Bank of Japan governor Haruhiko Kuroda says economy is following the path to 2% inflation ‘as expected’; fellow board member Takahide Kiuchi has ‘more cautious outlook’