Japan
Fukui says BOJ at 'important phase'
The Bank of Japan is at an "important phase" in assessing whether core consumer prices are on a stable rising trend, Governor Toshihiko Fukui said Monday 6 March.
Japan's debt straitjacket is out of style
Amid the euphoria over the end of deflation and a likely change in the Bank of Japan's policy, this recent article says it's easy to forget that Japan remains addicted to borrowed money.
Yosano not sure to give view at BOJ meeting
Japanese economy and banking minister Kaoru Yosano said on Friday 3 March that the Bank of Japan should decide when to end its quantitative easing policy and that he wasn't sure if the government would give its view at the BOJ's upcoming meetings.
BOJ set to end ultra-easy policy - report
Senior Bank of Japan officials have decided to submit a proposal to end the central bank's super-loose monetary policy at next week's BOJ board meeting, two Japanese news agencies reported on Friday 3 March.
Monetary policy by committee: Why and how?
In this De Nederlandsche Bank Working Paper, published February 2006, Alan Blinder discusses two questions: Why have so many central banks switched from individual to group decision making, and how?
Report says BOJ considering 'reference rate'
The Bank of Japan is considering setting a 'reference rate' on inflation to guide markets on its monetary policy intentions, Jiji Press and other media reported.
Adams says Japan's deflation fight almost over
A senior U.S. Treasury official indicated on Wednesday 1 March that Japan has nearly beaten deflation, and China should allow its currency to be more flexible.
Japan's LDP won't meddle with BOJ
One of Japan's ruling party lawmakers told Reuters on Wednesday 1 March that it is up to the Bank of Japan when it ends its ultra-easy policy so long as steps to contain bond yield spikes are in place.
Japan's economy minister rejects target idea
Japan's economy minister rejected the idea of inflation targets on Tuesday 28 February , calling on the Bank of Japan to instead adopt a flexible approach.
IMF likely to raise Japan growth forecast
The International Monetary Fund will likely revise its forecast of 2.0 percent growth for Japan in 2006 "significantly" upwards, a senior IMF official said on Tuesday 28 February.
Japan's PM says govt would tolerate BOJ shift
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi indicated on Monday 27 February that the government would be prepared to tolerate a move by the Bank of Japan in lifting its ultra-easy policy as early as March.
Comment: 'A matter for the BoJ'
Comments made by influential Japanese politicians over the weekend and on Monday suggest that the government will no longer stand in the Bank of Japan's way as it departs from its super-loose policy of "quantitative easing".
BOJ's policy shift in sight in March, says paper
Bank of Japan Governor Toshihiko Fukui and senior BOJ officials are considering starting to dismantle the BOJ's ultra-easy policy as early as the March 8-9 policy board meeting, the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Friday 24 February.
Resistance waning to BOJ ending hyper-easy policy
According to this article published Tuesday 21 February, resistance by the government and senior members of the ruling party towards the Bank of Japan ending its five-year-old hyper-loose monetary policy seems to be waning.
BOJ's Muto says shift won't mean policy tightening
Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Toshiro Muto said on Thursday 23 February that an end to the BOJ's ultra-loose monetary policy framework will not signify an immediate credit tightening.
Fukui says BOJ will end policy when conditions met
The Bank of Japan is hoping to end its quantitative monetary policy as soon as all the conditions laid down for its removal are met, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun quoted BoJ Governor Toshihiko Fukui as telling upper house's financial affairs committee.
Bank of Korea chief to visit Japan
The governor of South Korea's central bank will visit Japan this week on a three-day trip to sign a cooperation agreement with the Bank of Japan.
BoJ to make 'appropriate' decision on policy shift
Bank of Japan deputy governor Toshiro Muto said Tuesday 21 February the central bank will make an "appropriate" decision on when to end its ultra-loose monetary policy.
BOJ to keep 'accommodative' policy after shift
The Bank of Japan will maintain an ``accommodative'' policy stance even after it ends its five-year deflation-fighting policy Governor Toshihiko Fukui said.
BOJ in critical period says Nishimura
Bank of Japan Policy Board member Kiyohiko Nishimura said on Thursday 16 February the central bank has entered a critical period for deciding on a policy move, but said it had not set any time frame for a shift.
OECD's Gurria calls for global imbalances action
Washington and Beijing need to back their words with action, after pledging to deal with global economic imbalances, the incoming chief of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said on Thursday 16 February.
Why the Bank of Japan should just shut up
According to this article published on Monday 13 February, until the consumer price index and other inflation measures turn positive and stay there for six months or even longer, Bank of Japan officials should keep their heads down and their mouths…
Bank of Japan Monthly Report, February 2006
The Bank of Japan published the English version of its February 2006 monthly report on 13 February. In the report the BOJ said Japan's economy is expected to continue to recover steadily.
BOJ's Mizuno cautions on asset bubble risk
Bank of Japan policy board member Atsushi Mizuno has said that the BOJ's super-easy monetary policy may help produce an asset bubble in Japan, the Jiji Press news agency reported.