Japan
BOJ's Fukui says zero rate policy stays
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui said on Sunday 8 May that the BOJ will maintain its fight against deflation despite favourable signs in the economy, but the current policy won't last indefinitely.
Tanigaki says Japan's economy recovering
Japanese Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki reiterated on Thursday 5 May that the country's consumers are powering economic recovery and vowed to press on with fiscal reforms, although moderate deflation continued to pose a problem.
Tokyo urges China to act 'responsibly' on reserves
Japanese Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said that Japan will manage its foreign-exchange reserves to help create stability rather than maximize profit and called on China and South Korea to also act "responsibly."
Asia set to boost currency attack defences
Japan, China and South Korea are set to join forces to bolster Asia's defences against currency speculators despite diplomatic tensions that had threatened to derail economic cooperation.
BoJ: Outlook for Economic Activity & Prices Apr 05
The Bank of Japan has published the English version of its April 2005 Outlook for Economic Activity and Prices report. The report says Japan's economy remains on a recovery trend, despite a recent pause due partly to adjustments in production and…
New book challenges role of the Bank of Japan
A new controversial theory that could transform the world of economics has been drawn up by a University of Southampton academic in a book described by Professor Charles Goodhart as "both a powerful and important book".
Fukui says policy may not change with positive CPI
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui said Thursday the central bank would not necessarily abandon its ultra-easy credit policy once the core consumer price index stops falling.
A post-reflation monetary framework for Japan
Modifications to Japan's monetary policy framework will be needed as positive inflation resumes because the current monetary regime and operations are tailored to ending deflation, this IMF Working Paper says.
BOJ's Fukui on the bank's Semiannual Report
In a speech given on 31 March (published 22 April), Toshihiko Fukui of the Bank of Japan said that although Japan's economy is at a pause, it is expected to continue recovering with the further expansion of overseas economies and progress in adjustment…
Does excess liquidity pose a threat in Japan?
This IMF Discussion Paper examines the effects of quantitative easing implemented by the Bank of Japan since early 2001, looking specifically at the impact on inflation expectations and real asset prices.
Tanigaki says economy still in moderate deflation
Japan is still in ``moderate deflation'' and policy makers should keep attempting to overcome it, Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said on Tuesday 26 April.
Tanigaki says inflation targeting debate important
Japanese Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said Friday 22 April that it would be important for the Bank of Japan to consider inflation targeting as a monetary policy option once the country overcomes deflation.
BoJ's Fukui sees economy recovering
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui said on Thursday 21 April that the world's second-largest economy remained on a recovery track in spite of cautious business sentiment.
MOF's Asakawa says Japan won't diversify reserves
According to Japanese Ministry of Finance official Masatsugu Asakawa, Japan doesn't plan to change the percentage of US dollars in its $838 billion official reserve assets, the world's largest.
Japan's fin min says G7 leaders to discuss oil
Japanese Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said on Friday 15 April that G7 financial leaders are expected to study measures to curb high oil prices, including ways to change industrial structures of oil-consuming nations.
IMF sees slower economic growth in Japan
Japan's economy will show slower growth in 2005 but should gather steam as the year progresses, according to the IMF's World Economic outlook Wednesday, urging the Bank of Japan to keep monetary policy loose until the deflation threat is removed.
Tanigaki: G7 likely to keep same forex message
Japanese Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said high oil prices are expected to top the agenda when G7 finance chiefs meet in Washington later this week.
Bank of Japan Monthly Report, April 2005
The Bank of Japan published the English version of its April 2005 monthly report on 8 April. In the report the BOJ left its monthly assessment of the nation's economy unchanged from the previous month but said exports are starting to pick up, and…
BoJ's new board member urges gradual policy shift
Kiyohiko Nishimura, who joined the Bank of Japan's nine-member policy board on Friday, told a press conference that the central bank needs to move slowly in altering its current super-loose credit policy.
Fukui: Reserve target adjustment isn't tightening
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui told lawmakers Thursday 7 April a ``numerical adjustment'' in the amount of funds the Bank of Japan makes available to lenders wouldn't mean the central bank is tightening monetary policy.
Fukuma on recent economic developments in Japan
In the speech 'Recent economic and financial developments in Japan' given on 24 February (published 29 March) Toshikatsu Fukuma of the Bank of Japan said the central bank should maintain the current target of 30-35 trln yen at least until April, when the…
BOJ reports economy extends recovery
Bank of Japan Governor Toshihiko Fukui told a news conference Wednesday 6 April that a decline in business confidence doesn't alter the bank's view that Japan's economy is maintaining a recovery.
Muto on Japan's payment and settlement systems
In the speech 'Japan's payment and settlement systems and the Bank of Japan' given on 3 December (published 24 March) Toshiro Muto of the Bank of Japan said generally, reform of payment and settlement systems in any country does not happen until it…
BOJ's Takenaka says economic outlook unchanged
The Japanese government said its view of the economy remains unaltered following the publication of the Bank of Japan's Tankan survey which showed confidence among large manufacturers unexpectedly fell for a second quarter.