Japan
Dangerous drift in international money
The international monetary situation is being allowed to drift dangerously as the leading countries neglect the risks and ignore calls for reform. Robert Pringle reports from Beijing.
BoJ's Fukui says board split 7-2 on target cut
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui said on Friday 20 May that the BoJ's policy board vote was spilt 7-2 on maintaining the liquidity target at 30-35 trln yen. "Two members thought the target ought to be lowered," Fukui told a press conference.
BOJ's Muto says policy to remain
The Bank of Japan is committed to keeping the policy of holding interest rates at almost zero and pumping cash into the economy until deflation is over, Toshiro Muto, one of the Bank of Japan's two deputy governors said on Tuesday 17 May.
Japan's Tanigaki sees economy on steady recovery
Japanese Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said on Tuesday 17 May that he sees the world's second largest economy as steady on a recovery track as indicated by January-March gross domestic product data.
Fukui on achieving strong economic growth in Japan
In a speech on 'Toward achieving strong economic growth in Japan' given on 13 May, Toshihiko Fukui of the Bank of Japan said the economy is expected to experience a long period of growth, although at a moderate pace.
Ex BOJ official says may need policy shift
A former deputy governor of the Bank of Japan has said the bank should consider changing its policy of pumping cash into the economy and holding rates at almost zero because deflation is easing.
Tanigaki says yuan revaluation won't push up yen
A revaluation of China's currency wouldn't immediately strengthen the yen, Japan's Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said on Thursday 12 May.
Japan's MOF may yield to BOJ on reserves
Japan's Ministry of Finance is expected to approve the Bank of Japan's plans to build up its reserves beyond the amount legally required, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported.
Bank of Japan Minutes, 15 and 16 March
The Bank of Japan's minutes from its 15 and 16 March monetary policy meeting published on 9 May showed policy makers agreed they can keep the target for reserves available to lenders by changing the way the bank conducts money-market operations.
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.