Japan
Tanigaki wants orderly fx moves
Japan's finance minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said on Tuesday 25 April that sudden exchange rate movements seen after the recent Group of Seven meeting were undesirable.
Comment: Sweden sheds reserve dollars
The Swedish Riksbank dropped a bit of a bombshell on international currency markets on Friday 21 April by announcing a significant reduction in the share of dollars and yen in its foreign reserves portfolio. Although Sweden has a relatively small…
BoJ overpays on travel expenses
The Bank of Japan has paid overstated amounts of domestic travel expenses claimed by some of its personnel and has been told by the Board of Audit of Japan to correct the problem, Jiji Press reported Thursday 20 April.
Comment: Transparent monetary policy
The "transparency revolution" in modern monetary policy is little over a decade old. Just recently, some commentators have started to ask whether this development can go too far. Although it certainly could in theory, it probably hasn't yet.
BoJ's Muto says rate shift depends on data
Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Toshiro Muto said Thursday 20 April that the central bank will decide on when to end its zero rate policy by analysing various economic data.
BoJ minutes show govt urged zero rates
The Bank of Japan was urged by the government to keep interest rates at zero when it ended its ultra-easy monetary policy last month, but the BoJ noted the risks of policy becoming too accommodative, minutes released Friday 14 April showed.
Bank of Japan Monthly Report, April 2006
The Bank of Japan published the English version of its April 2006 monthly report on Thursday 13 April. In the report the BOJ left its positive assessment of the nation's economy unchanged, citing rising production and exports as well as a pickup in…
BoJ's Fukui watching long-term rates closely
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui voiced concern over rising long-term interest rates on Wednesday 12 April as data showed further evidence of a solid economic recovery.
BoJ's Fukui says 'no deviation' from reserve level
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui said Tuesday 11 April there has been "no deviation" in the planned pace of reduction in commercial banks' current account reserves held at the BoJ.
International Journal of Central Banking, Mar 06
The March 2006 issue of the International Journal of Central Banking has been published. The latest edition contains five articles including 'The Bank of Japan's monetary policy and bank risk premiums in the money market,' and 'Using market information…
Tanigaki says Japan hasn't escaped deflation yet
Japanese Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said Saturday 8 April that the world's second-biggest economy has yet to beat deflation fully.
Ex-BoJ's Taya sees one rate rise by year-end
The Bank of Japan is expected to raise interest rates once by the end of the year and twice in 2007, a former board member said on Thursday 6 April.
Euro disaster a salutary lesson in what not to do
According to this recent article, the idea of a single currency area for countries like China, Japan, and Korea has certain obvious appeal. However, it is a big stretch to assume that a single currency union is either the best way for them to reap those…
Comment: Exposed currencies cause jitters
The Central Bank of Iceland raised interest rates by 75 basis points last week. The central bank is concerned over the possibility of further declines in the Icelandic krona, which has fallen 12% against the US dollar this year.
Comment: Developments in March
March was an eventful month in central banking circles. The Bank of Japan put an end to its "quantitative easing" policy and attention now turns to the timing of its first interest rate increase.
China currency reserves top Japan's - report
China overtook Japan to become the world's largest holder of foreign-exchange reserves, the state-owned China Business News said, citing unidentified sources.
Former Mizuho executive may join BoJ board
The Japanese government plans to appoint Tadao Noda, a former deputy president of Mizuho Financial Group Inc. (8411.TO), as a new member of the Bank of Japan's Policy Board, Kyodo News reported, citing government sources.
BoJ to stick to best policy timing - Fukui
Bank of Japan Governor Toshihiko Fukui said on Monday 27 March that the central bank will conduct monetary policy with the most appropriate timing and a delicate touch.
BoJ's Nakahara warns of deflation return
A Bank of Japan policy board member warned on Thursday 23 March that the BoJ is unlikely to need to tighten credit soon and should instead watch for renewed deflation.
BoJ's Fukui on the conduct of monetary policy
In the speech 'New framework for the conduct of monetary policy: Toward achieving sustainable economic growth with price stability' given on 16 March Toshihiko Fukui of the Bank of Japan said monetary policy that is too accommodative could eventually…
BoJ's Mizuno sees rate rise 'any time'
Bank of Japan policy board member Atsushi Mizuno said in a speech on Monday 20 March that he expects an increase in interest rates from around zero pct at "any time."
BoJ's Iwata says price goal will anchor inflation
Bank of Japan deputy governor Kazumasa Iwata said on Friday 17 March that the central bank's decision to set a medium-term inflation goal of 0-2 pct will help anchor inflation expectations and lower risk premia on Japanese securities.
Fukui rules out early BoJ rate rise
Toshihiko Fukui, governor of the Bank of Japan, sought to lower expectations on Thursday 16 March that an early interest rate rise would follow the end of the BoJ's ultra-loose monetary policy last week.
Fukui sees continuity with Bernanke Fed
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui said Thursday 16 March that Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke seems inclined to carry on the general policy direction of former Fed chief Alan Greenspan.