Japan
BOJ's Fukui positive on economy
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui told parliament on Tuesday 2 August that consumer prices will likely turn positive by the year-end and the soft patch in the economy could soon be over.
BOJ economist forecasts sustainable recovery
The Bank of Japan's top economist said the central bank is getting more confident that an economic recovery is sustainable because consumer spending is improving at a faster pace.
The decline of Japan's saving rate
The Bank of Japan Working Paper "The decline of Japan's saving rate and demographic effects" investigates the phenomenon in which Japan's household saving rate showed a sharp decline even during the long stagnation period called "the lost decade."
BOJ's Fukui says prices may rise from late 2005
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui told a news conference on Wednesday 27 July that the consumer price index may rise from late this year or early 2006 as the BOJ kept monetary policy unchanged.
Japan welcomes China yuan decision
Japan welcomed China's decision on Thursday 21 July to end its currency's peg to the U.S. dollar and other Asian officials said they were closely watching developments.
Bank of Japan Policy Board Minutes
The Bank of Japan published the minutes from its 14 and 15 June Monetary Policy Meeting on 18 July. The minutes showed the board voted down in mid-June two proposals to cut its liquidity target, including one proposal to reduce it to just 25 trln yen.
Bank of Japan Monthly Report, July 2005
The Bank of Japan published the English version of its July 2005 monthly report on 15 July. The BOJ slightly revised up its monthly assessment of the economy for the first time in eight months, citing upbeat business confidence, rising capital spending…
Tanigaki says govt, BOJ share same view on economy
Japan's Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said on Friday 15 July that the economy is extending a recovery as rising corporate profits buoy consumer spending.
Good/bad deflation and Japanese economic recovery
The Discussion Paper "Good deflation/bad deflation and Japanese economic recovery" says economic history suggests that technological progress can go hand in hand with general deflation. It finds that short-run shocks to Japan's relative price structure…
Monetary policy during Japan's lost decade
This University of Tokyo Discussion Paper published May 2005 develops a quantitative costly price adjustment model with capital formation for the Japanese Economy.
BOJ upgrades economic assessment
The Bank of Japan slightly upgraded its assessment of the economy on Wednesday 13 July at the conclusion of its monetary policy meeting, saying that the recovery remains on track.
Fukui: Japan's monetary easing policy to remain
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui said on Wednesday 6 July that the central bank will maintain its quantitative monetary easing policy to support the Japanese economy until deflation risks retract.
BOJ's Muto on the outlook for Japan's economy
In the speech 'The outlook for Japan's economy' given on 23 June, Toshiro Muto of the Bank of Japan said the central bank may see the possibility of ending a quantitative monetary policy easing in the year to March 2007, if things go smoothly.
ECB's Trichet on international financial system
In the speech 'Reflections on the international financial system' given on 21 June, Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said that the widening current account deficit in the United States posed a big threat to global growth.
BOJ's Haru says monetary policy may change
Bank of Japan policy board member Hidehiko Haru said in a speech the central bank may see the possibility of ending its quantitative monetary policy easing in the year to March 2007.
Muto says BOJ will maintain target range
Bank of Japan deputy governor Toshiro Muto said Thursday 23 June the central bank will maintain the current account balance target in a range of 30 trillion to 35 trillion yen.
Tanigaki says Japan, China may discuss yuan
Japan's Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said that the meeting of finance ministers from Asia and Europe scheduled for this weekend in China could include a discussion of the yuan's peg to the US dollar.
Bank of Japan Policy Board Minutes
Bank of Japan policy makers Toshikatsu Fukuma and Atsushi Mizuno voted in April and May to cut the target for funds the bank makes available to lenders, according to minutes released on 20 June.
Bank of Japan Monthly Report, June 2005
The Bank of Japan published the English version of its June 2005 monthly report on Friday 17 June. In the report the BOJ said the economy continues to recover because of higher capital investment and consumer spending.
Japan upgrades economic assessment
The Japanese government upgraded its view of the economy on Wednesday 15 June for the first time in 11 months, citing recovery in personal spending and the labour market.
Tanigaki says China to benefit from currency move
Japanese Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki told reporters on Friday 10 June that his recommendation was that the Chinese government scrap the yuan's dollar peg system.
Nishimura says BOJ should keep reserve target
Bank of Japan policy maker Kiyohiko Nishimura said the BOJ should maintain its target for the amount of money it pumps into the economy as a revival of export-led growth cannot be relied on yet.
Taya says BOJ may delay bond purchase cut
Japan's central bank may hold off reducing its monthly bond purchases after it cuts the target for reserves available to lenders, according to Teizo Taya, a former policy maker.
BoJ's Fukui on incentives for policymakers
In a speech given at the 12th International Conference given on 30 May, Toshihiko Fukui of the Bank of Japan said incentives matter to central banks, not only at the level of macroeconomic targets, but also at the micro-level of day-to-day decision…