Japan
Incoming BoJ chief to outline policies in Diet
Toshihiko Fukui will next week outline his policies for fighting deflation and stabilising Japan's economic system to the Japanese Diet, according to the Kyodo News Service. The Bank of Japan governor in waiting will be quizzed before the Diet give their…
Bank of Japan Monthly Report, March 2003
The Bank of Japan has published its Monthly Report of Recent Economic and Financial Developments for March 2003. The BoJ said the domestic economic outlook remained uncertain, with no signs of an imminent improvement, a view it has taken for the last…
Outgoing BOJ's Hayami says only so much we can do
As governor Masaru Hayami prepares to bow out of the Bank of Japan he spoke at his final news conference, reported by Pacific Business News. He said that the central bank could not cure Japan's economic woes on its own and that social and political…
Japan's Monetary Policy Meeting, 13 & 14 February
MINUTES - Minutes of the Bank of Japan's Monetary Policy Meeting on 13 and 14 February 2003, released 10 March. The Bank's policy board discussed possible policy-easing steps, including an increase in purchases of Japanese government bonds or more…
New BoJ governor to be approved by Diet
Toshihiko Fukui's appointment as the new governor of the Bank of Japan will be approved by the Diet on 13-14 March, according to a report by Kyodo News service.
BoJ and Japanese government to boost stock prices
Following further falls in the Nikkei Dow, Kyodo News Service announced that the Japanese government and the Bank of Japan have agreed to take steps to boost stock prices which have suffered further falls with the threat of conflict in the gulf.
Outgoing BoJ chief doubts market interventions use
Speaking on Friday Bank of Japan governor Masaru Hayami said he thought central banks attempts to intervene in the foreign exchange market were not vary effective.
Bank of Japan Press Release, 5 Mar
PRESS RELEASE - Decision from the Bank of Japan Monetary Policy Meeting, 5 March.
Incoming BOJ Gov. Fukui mustn't be an also-ran
ARTICLE - This article provides some background on the new governor of the Bank of Japan Toshihiko Fukui. At one time, it says, Fukui was at the forefront of moves to reform the central bank, which had been disparagingly described as "nothing more than a…
Bank of Japan warned on asset holdings
Having made significant stock purchases as part of its policy against non-performing loans outgoing governor of the Bank of Japan Masaru Hayami has said further falls in asset prices could leave the Bank dangerously exposed.
White House urges Japan to fight deflation
US chief economist Glenn Hubbard has called on Japan to address deflationary pressures through central bank policies. But he acknowledged that the deflationary spiral was only one cause for the country's economic problems.
Fukui's appointment designed to bring peace
ARTICLE - This article suggests peace between the central bank and the Finance Ministry appears to be the motive behind the government's choice of new leadership at the Bank of Japan.
Hayami - Towards a sustainable growth path
SPEECH - In the speech 'Towards a Sustainable Growth Path' Masaru Hayami of the Bank of Japan said that during his five years at the BOJ the Bank been exploring what a central bank can and cannot do in order to get Japan's economy back on track. He said…
Koizumi's timidity
ARTICLE - A Leader column in the Financial Times argues that Fukui's appointment shows "a lack of courage" from prime minister Junichiro Koizumi with Fukui having the "weakest punch" against falling prices.
Shiokawa to press new BOJ gov to relax mon policy
Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa is set to ask Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor designate Toshihiko Fukui to further relax the central bank's monetary policy.
Japan warns on deflation at G7 meeting in Paris
With Japan continuing to suffer the effects of deflation, finance minister Shiokawa has warned that increased threats of war may make the prospect of deflation more serious for the world.
Fukui appointed BoJ governor
Toshihiko Fukui was today nominated to replace Masaru Hayami as governor of the Bank of Japan. Prime Minister Koizumi's decision to appoint a conservative figure like Fukui has already been criticised for showing a lack of commitment to tackle deflation.
Choosing the new Bank of Japan governor
ARTICLE - Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is due to announce by the end of this month his choice for governor of the Bank of Japan, the central bank of the world's second-largest economy. He will also pick two deputy governors. The article…
Japan's Ito repeats call for BOJ inflation target
An academic linked to the race for top spot at Japan's central bank reiterated on Thursday his view that the bank should adopt a controversial policy targeting inflation to reverse Japan's steadily falling prices.
Yamaguchi says Bank of Japan is doing all it can
The most expectant of silences greeted Yutaka Yamaguchi, the deputy governor of the Bank of Japan. But the outlook from the bank veteran of 40 years was gloomy: the bank is doing all it can, it is time for others to pull their weight. CentralBankNet…
Minutes of Japan's Monetary Policy Meeting
MINUTES - Minutes of the Bank of Japan's Monetary Policy Meeting on 21 and 22 January 2003, released 19 February. One member pointed out that inflation targeting had never been adopted for the purpose of overcoming deflation by any central bank overseas,…
BOJ said inflation needs fiscal, FX moves- minutes
Bank of Japan Policy Board members said in their January 21-22 meeting that boosting prices in the short term would require large-scale fiscal spending or manipulation of foreign exchange rates, minutes showed on Wednesday.
Bank of Japan Monthly Report, February 2003
REPORT - The Bank of Japan published its Monthly Report of Recent Economic and Financial Developments, February 2003, on 18 February. "Economic activity remains flat amid substantial uncertainty about the outlook for the economy," the report said. One…
Japan PM nearing decision on central bank chief
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is near a decision on a successor for outgoing Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Masaru Hayami, whose five-year term ends 19 March, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda indicated Tuesday.