Japan
Post-bubble monetary policy in Japan - paper
A new paper from the Bank of Japan's IMES looks at the the monetary-poicy decsions made in the 1990s as Japan's economy reeled from collapses in propoerty and stock prices.
Japanese policymakers fear US housing problems
Minutes of the June 14-15 meeting of the Bank of Japan's policy board, published today, show that some board members have concerns about the persistence of housing problems in the United States, which may point to difficulties in making future rate rises.
Japan's CPI understated deflation - NBER paper
Japan's deflation would have more than twice as severe as official statistics suggested if the country adopted American methodologies which correct for substitution biases and quality upgrading, this NBER working paper finds.
Inflation surprise lifts New Zealand dollar
New Zealand's benchmark interest rate is widely expected to be raised by a quarter of a percentage point to a record level of 8.25% next week, after a report published today revealed that inflation has risen faster than the Reserve Bank anticipated. The…
Bank of Japan stays put
The Bank of Japan left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 0.5% on Thursday. Only one board member, Atsushi Mizuno, opposed the decision and voted for a rate rise.
Japan: regional economic report
The Bank of Japan published a regional economic report on 6 July.
Keeping rates low in Japan "could hurt growth"
Two members of the board of the Bank of Japan have dropped strong hints that the central bank is very much in tightening mode, suggesting that a continuation of low interest will hurt the economy.
Business sentiment remains upbeat in Japan
The latest edition of the Bank of Japan's widely-followed Tankan business sentiment poll, published on 2 July, shows that businesses remain upbeat about the country's economic prospects.
Examining inflation target uncertainty
In this Bank of Japan Working Paper, the authors analyse the interaction between private agents' uncertainty about inflation target and the central bank's data uncertainty.
Minister hints at Japanese wealth fund
Japan's Financial Services Minister said on 29 June that the country should debate whether to set up a fund to manage its foreign currency reserves.
Inflationary pressures building - Fund
Inflationary pressures are "definitely building up" according to Simon Johnson, economic counsellor and director of research with the International Monetary Fund.
The continuing rise of the kiwi
The New Zealand dollar continues its rapid rise on perceptions that the central bank will be unable to stem a rally powered by Japanese investors looking for higher yields. The currency rose to its highest level in 22 years on 25 June.
BoJ to continue gradual rate hikes
The minutes of the May 16-17 board meeting of the Bank of Japan confirmed the view of members that the central bank should continue to raise interest rates gradually, in line with growth and inflation prospects.
Japanese rates on hold
The Bank of Japan's Monetary Policy Committee decided on 15 June, by a unanimous vote, to leave interest rates at 0.5%.
Nishimura sees third quarter inflation rise
Kiyohiko Nishimura, a board member of the Bank of Japan, says inflation is likely to rise in October this year.
Japanese consumers to keep economy floating
The International Monetary Fund predicts an economic expansion in Japan of 2.3% this year, followed by 1.9% in 2008.
Monetary operations in China
This Bank of Japan Working Paper suggests that the People's Bank of China's money market operations have been focused mainly on China-US interest rate differentials for the sake of stability in the Renminbi exchange rate after the July 2005 reform.
Fukui again says rates must rise
In further comments on Japan's interest rates, Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui said Thursday 17 May rates should increase gradually to support economic growth amid price stability.
Fukui on the outlook for Japan's economy
In the speech 'The outlook for Japan's economy and the conduct of monetary policy' given on 10 May Toshihiko Fukui of the Bank of Japan said the Bank will continue to explain carefully to the public its assessment of economic activity and prices and its…
Speeches from the CeMCoA symposium
The Bank of Japan has published speeches made by guest speakers at the international symposium "Ten years after the Asian currency crisis: Future challenges for Asian economies and financial markets" hosted by the Center for Monetary Cooperation in Asia …
BoJ's Fukui says low rates for too long will hurt
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui told a seminar in Tokyo Thursday 10 May that interest rates need to rise gradually despite Japanese prices responding slowly to strong global demand.
IMF's Rato at the MIT Latin Conference
In a speech given on 27 April Rodrigo de Rato of the IMF said Latin America's future is not entirely in its own hands.
Some BoJ members urged gradual rate hike
Minutes released Monday 7 May showed some members of the Bank of Japan's board called on the BoJ to do a better job communicating its intention of raising interest rates only gradually and without any timetable set in advance.
China, Japan, Korea to pool some reserves - report
Bloomberg reported on Friday 4 May that China, Japan and South Korea have agreed to combine some of their foreign-exchange reserves in order to prevent any repeat of the crisis that hit Asia a decade ago.