Japan
Wages more sticky in the US than in Japan, BoJ paper finds
The empirical fit of the New Keynesian Wage Phillips Curve is generally superior for Japan, auhors note; inflation indexation plays a key role in the US, but is less important in Japan, they add
BoJ extends lending schemes as economic growth disappoints
Two schemes aimed at stimulating bank lending are expanded and extended as economic data falls below Bank of Japan expectations; analysts expect more easing next quarter
BoJ mulls ‘more thorough’ communication
Minutes from December meeting reveal policy board members’ concern over market scepticism towards the BoJ’s path back to 2% inflation; suggest clarifying reaction function
BoJ’s Shirai warns against rush for 2% inflation at all costs
Sayuri Shirai says it ‘may be appropriate’ to take longer than two years to meet the central bank’s inflation target of 2%; stresses the importance of achieving the goal in a ‘stable’ manner
Kuroda draws on lessons from Paul Volcker’s Fed tenure
Bank of Japan governor Haruhiko Kuroda points to Paul Volcker’s success in lowering inflation expectations in the United States as proof of central banks' ability to influence markets
Kuroda calls for research into political constraints on monetary policy
Bank of Japan governor Haruhiko Kuroda stresses the need to understand more about the ‘political and administrative feasibilities’ that bind monetary policy
BoJ’s Sato says central bank is ‘breaking away’ from incremental policy
Policy board member Takehiro Sato says QQE marks a departure from the conventional incremental approach to policy-making; says additional easing could be ‘counterproductive'
BoJ will need ‘aggressive' re-capitalisation at end of QQE, top economist warns
Nomura chief economist warns the practice of handing over the profits from QE to the Japanese government means the central bank could find itself under-capitalised when the programme ends
Kuroda says Japan is on track to hit price target
Bank of Japan governor says the central bank’s QQE has brought about ‘positive developments’ that are spreading throughout financial markets and the real economy; sees inflation hitting 2% by 2015
Kuroda sets out evidence that Japan’s recovery will persist
Bank of Japan governor highlights a range of factors that suggest Japan may be bringing 15 years of stagnation to a close – supported by the central bank’s aggressive monetary policy
Central bankers cannot fix Asia's economic woes, warn bank economists
Government-driven reform is urgently required to ensure continued development in Asia; India comes in for most criticism as market watchers turn attention to forthcoming plenary in Beijing
IMF director delivers verdict on Abenomics one year on
Anoop Singh says Japanese prime minister’s stimulus plan has helped put Japan ‘at the centre of the global economic map’; tells Japan not to squander the opportunity
BoJ’s Iwata draws lessons from ‘Takahashi economic policy’
Current Bank of Japan deputy examines former governor and finance minister’s success in lifting Japan out of deflation in the 1930s; underlines importance of expectations, both past and present
IMF paper warns half-hearted Japanese reforms would push up long-term rates
Researchers say long-term yields and banks’ interest rate exposures will increase if structural and fiscal reforms are not seen through to the end
US resolution on debt ceiling ‘critical for global economy’, says BoJ’s Nakaso
Bank of Japan deputy governor Hiroshi Nakaso says the biggest threat to the US economy is the on-going dispute between politicians in resolving the debt ceiling; QQE in Japan remains on track
Japan’s ministry of finance issues inflation-indexed JGBs after five-year absence
First linker issuance in Japan since 2009 is 3.7 times oversubscribed but success of future auctions will depend on the Bank of Japan’s ability to deliver 2% inflation
European finance sector needs complete overhaul, says ECB's Praet
Executive board member says Europe's financial sector must be overhauled in 'its entirety' not through ‘selective mending'; warns of Japanese-style zombie banks undercutting return to growth
Kuroda believes QQE has started to ‘exert effects’
Bank of Japan governor Haruhiko Kuroda says the radical easing plan unveiled in April has led to a ‘favourable turn’ in the country’s finanical markets, public expectations and economic activity
BoJ on target as IMF urges Abe to loose his other arrows
IMF says fiscal and structural reforms are necessary to create ‘durable’ increase in inflation; encourages Bank of Japan to begin internal discussions over its exit plan
Kuroda says QQE is ‘right on track’
Bank of Japan governor believes QQE has already prompted a ‘favourable turn’ in the financial markets and real economy; hopes improved sentiment will translate to demand
MAS to lend Singapore dollars against JGBs
Monetary Authority of Singapore and Bank of Japan strike cross-border collateral arrangement; MAS looking to make it easier for banks to manage their liquidity needs
BoJ policy board member signals possibility of further measures
Takehiro Sato says the Bank of Japan could employ additional policy tools in its bid to double the monetary base; Abenomics gets public backing in parliamentary election
BoJ policy board divided over bond markets
Minutes from the Bank of Japan’s June meeting reveal members debated whether to introduce additional measures to stabilise long-term interest rates
BoJ paper examines consumer spending in low-interest rate environment
Research based on BoJ opinion survey finds that an individual with higher inflation expectations will tend to have increased their consumer spending when interest rates are at the zero lower bound