Japan
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.
LDP's Nakagawa says nominal GDP also BOJ target
A senior Liberal Democratic Party executive expressed concern on Thursday 22 December over the Bank of Japan's move to end its policy of quantitative monetary easing as early as next spring.
BOJ's monetary policy
This article published on Tuesday 20 December addresses the question of when the Bank of Japan should end its exceptionally easy credit policy which, it says, is stirring a bitter debate among policy-makers.
Fukui sees strong chance of core CPI rising
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui said in a speech on Thursday 22 December that there is a good chance that Japan's core consumer price index will increase steadily as the world's second-largest economy starts beating deflation.
Two BOJ dissenters unite, minutes show
Minutes from the Bank of Japan's November board meeting released on Wednesday 21 December showed two members united in calling for a cut in the target for excess funds in the financial system, consolidating their previously separate proposals into one.
Bank of Japan Monthly Report, December 2005
The Bank of Japan published the English version of its December 2005 monthly report on 20 December. In its report the BOJ said the Japanese economy continues to recover, keeping its view unchanged from the previous month.
BoJ's Fukui says watching yen move closely
The central bank will be keeping a close eye on yen movements in the wake of current volatility, Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui told a news conference in Tokyo on Friday 16 December.
LDP calls on BOJ to set nominal growth target
Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party said on Thursday 15 December that it wants the Bank of Japan to set a target for nominal economic growth in accordance with the government.
Tanigaki urges BOJ not to rush policy shift
Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki has urged the Bank of Japan not to rush in ending its current quantitative expansionary monetary policy framework.
BOJ's Haru says reserve target may be cut
Bank of Japan policy board member Hidehiko Haru said the BOJ may have to lower its reserve target range before it concludes its ultra-easy monetary policy, if it becomes difficult to keep to the present range, which is set very high.
Fukui says govt understands BOJ's stance
Bank of Japan Governor Toshihiko Fukui said on Wednesday 7 December he thinks Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi understands the BOJ's deflation-fighting policy stance.
Fukui says Japan ready for monetary policy shift
Bank of Japan Governor Toshihiko Fukui told his Group of Seven counterparts that the central bank will move away from its monetary policy stance eventually, once the condition of sustainable rising consumer prices is met, Kyodo News Agency reported.
BoJ's Fukui on Japan's economy
In a speech given on 18 October (published 21 November) Toshihiko Fukui of the Bank of Japan said Japan's economy has emerged from its temporary pause and continues to recover.
Proposal for BOJ's next-generation RTGS project
The Bank of Japan has released a consultation document on the proposal for the next generation of the BOJ-NET Funds Transfer System.
Mizuno says BOJ should shorten policy debate
Bank of Japan board member Atsushi Mizuno said in a speech the BOJ should not spend too much time debating over policy with the government or financial markets to avoid being "late" in shifting policy.
BOJ deputy suggests 1% inflation benchmark
Bank of Japan deputy governor Kazumasa Iwata said the consumer price index needs to show a year-on-year rise of 1 pct over a period of 1-1/2 to two years to ensure that deflation is defeated, the Nikkei News Service reported.
Share price rise benefits BOJ
A surge in Japanese share prices has seen the Bank of Japan's holdings of shares in business firms increase to a record 1,132.3 billion yen as of Sept. 30.
BoJ should not decide policy shift alone- Takenaka
The Bank of Japan alone should not decide on the timing of an end to its super-loose monetary policy, Kyodo News quoted Heizo Takenaka, Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications as saying.
BoJ minutes show talk on best deflation gauge
The nine members of the Bank of Japan's policy board discussed whether the consumer price index is the best indicator to gauge an end to deflation, according to minutes of the meeting released Thursday 24 November.
Fukui says BOJ will decide policy shift alone
The Bank of Japan will take full responsibility in deciding when to end its ultra-easy monetary policy, while maintaining close contact with the government, BOJ Governor Toshihiko Fukui was quoted as saying on Wednesday 23 November.