Japan
BoJ's Muto: Conditions not met for policy shift
Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Toshiro Muto said on Thursday 2 February it was still too early to abandon the bank's ultra-loose policy despite recent increases in consumer prices.
Report says BoJ may extend Suda's term
The Bank of Japan has suggested that it may extend the appointment of a policy board member by giving a the official another five-year term.
Comment: Talking points in January
January has been an eventful month in central banking circles. Debate intensified at the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan over their monetary policy frameworks, while the Bank of Italy and the State Bank of Pakistan saw new governors taking office…
So much forex reserve, is it a blessing?
After recent figures showed China is not far behind Japan, the world's largest holder of foreign exchange reserves, this article published on Thursday 26 January asks: is it a blessing to have such an enormous forex reserve?
Takeuchi to join BOJ board - report
World Bank economist Sawako Takeuchi has been named as the likely replacement for Miyako Suda on the Bank of Japan's board.
Officials warn Japan's deflation not yet over
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said on Friday 27 January that although the key CPI rose for the second straight month in December, the country's economy has not yet emerged from deflation.
Fed's Fisher on process of creative destruction
In a speech given on 19 January Richard Fisher of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas said there is a dynamic tension in Japan today.
BOJ minutes show reluctance for price target
According to minutes from the Bank of Japan board's December meeting released on Wednesday 25 January, some members of the BOJ's policy board felt it would be hard to set a desirable rate of inflation.
Bank of Japan Monthly Report, January 2006
The Bank of Japan published the English version of its January 2006 monthly report on 24 January. In its report the BOJ upgraded its assessment of the economy for the first time in five months, saying it is now showing a "steady" recovery.
Comment: Is Japan really 'out of the woods'?
Speaking at a conference in London on Monday 23 January Eiji Hirano, the assistant governor of the Bank of Japan, said the economy was "getting out of the woods".
BOJ alone cannot be responsible for recovery
According to this article published Thursday 19 January, it seems the Japanese government is putting the brakes on the economy while demanding the central bank press the accelerator.
Fukui upbeat on economic recovery
Bank of Japan Governor Toshihiko Fukui increased expectations on Friday 20 January that the central bank could end its ultra-loose monetary policy soon, saying that his opinion on a policy shift had moved forward since December.
Policy shift will be 'headache' says Watanabe
Coping with higher interest rates will pose a "headache" for the Japanese economy, and the central bank is considering how to limit the impact on bonds, according to Hiroshi Watanabe, Japan's vice finance minister for international affairs, who was…
Will Japan target inflation in 2006?
According to this article published on Wednesday 18 January, despite its previous opposition, the Bank of Japan is now likely to find merit in the adoption of a formal inflation target, possibly in conjunction with the government.
Japan's Tanigaki: Central bank and govt must unite
Japanese Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki on Tuesday 17 January called for the government and Bank of Japan to put on a united front over monetary policy to avoid worrying investors.
Tokyo SE halts trading as system folds
The reputation of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the world's second largest by market capitalisation after New York, took a dent on Wednesday 18 January when it was forced to close 20 minutes early because its trading system was on the verge of collapsing.
Japan's Tanigaki urges caution on deflation call
Japanese Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki on Tuesday 17 January urged the Bank of Japan to be cautious in determining when deflation is over, saying a "cautious assessment" was required.
Is China accumulating too much foreign cash?
According to this article published on Monday 16 January, with China's reserves now approaching the level of Japanese holdings, there are fears that this vast hoard of foreign exchange exposes the country to risks that could undermine future growth.
Dallas Fed launches new publication
The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas has launched 'Economic Letter,' a monthly publication, that will provide commentary on important trends and policy issues shaping the increasingly global economy.
Japan economy minister says leave BOJ alone
Japan's economic and financial services minister, in an interview with the FT, called on senior government officials to stop hassling the Bank of Japan over its monetary policy.
Lull in hostile criticisms from politicians
The New Year seems to have started on an unusually harmonious note as far as relations between central banks and politicians are concerned. With policy interest rates on hold in the UK and euro areas, and perhaps soon to reach a plateau in the US,…
Tanigaki warns BOJ in ending loose policy
Japanese Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki on Monday 9 January urged the Bank of Japan to be cautious in determining when to end its ultra-loose monetary policy.
Muto: Price stability, central bank responsibility
In the speech 'Price stability and central banks' responsibility' given on 2 December (published 29 December) Toshiro Muto of the Bank of Japan said he holds a different view from other central bank policymakers who say the bank should end its ultra-easy…
BOJ official sees steady progress on deflation
Japan is making steady progress in its fight against deflation as consumer prices appear set to keep rising amid a balanced economic recovery, a senior Bank of Japan official said Friday 6 January.