Japan
BOJ maintains static view of economy
The Bank of Japan has maintained its assessment of the economy for the second straight month in January but warned of risks from weak private consumption as well as flat exports and output.
Takenaka says govt, BOJ should share policy goal
Japanese Economics and Financial Services Minister Heizo Takenaka on Thursday called on the Bank of Japan to foster more growth in money supply and said the government and central bank should share a policy goal.
BOJ under pressure to target inflation
ARTICLE - As Hayami's term is about to come to an end speculation not only mounts as to his successor but whether the Bank of Japan should introduce an inflation target under the new leadership.
The folly of inflation targets
ARTICLE - This article says that the Bank of Japan should explain what it is intending to do to end deflation and that this will be the first step in defending its threatened independence.
Bank of Japan Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Announcement of the Bank of Japan Monetary Policy Meeting decisions (unchanged), 22 January.
Koizumi calls for more 'effective' monetary policy
Junichiro Koizumi, Japan's prime minister, on Wednesday called on the Bank of Japan to adopt a more "effective" monetary policy but the central bank ignored his call, leaving its policy unchanged in a unanimous decision.
Extracts from an interview with Toshihiko Fukui
INTERVIEW - In an interview Toshihiko Fukui, a favourite to become the next governor of the Bank of Japan, says he has a great interest in inflation targeting. But if it was introduced it must be done in such a way as not to weaken discipline.
Japan, Indonesia agree currency swap deal
Japan and Indonesia have agreed on a bilateral rupiah-dollar swap arrangement aimed at ensuring stability in the currency market by supplying short-term liquidity, the two countries said in a joint statement.
Shiokawa puts deflation on center stage
Deflation is an issue for the entire government to tackle, Japan's Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa said Tuesday, reversing his earlier stance that the price declines of the last four years are the responsibility of the central bank.
Pace of Japanese deflation steadies
Japanese goods fell on average by 2 per cent in 2002, as the country's three-year deflation run continues.
BoJ hopeful introduces radical reflation proposal
With the name of the new governor of the Bank of Japan to be announced soon the battle is hotting up. On Sunday one of the favourites to land the job, Nobuyuki Nakahara, said the central bank should directly finance the government by Y5,000bn-Y10,000bn (…
World Bank backs Japan inflation targeting
James Wolfensohn, president of the World Bank, said on Thursday that it was sensible for Japan to use monetary policy to reverse deflation, amid debate among Japanese policymakers about the introduction of an inflation target. Outgoing BoJ governor…
Minutes of Japan's Monetary Policy Meeting
MINUTES - Minutes of the Bank of Japan's Monetary Policy Meeting on 18 and 19 November 2002, released 20 December. The nine member Policy Board considered that it was appropriate to maintain the current guideline for money market operations. Private…
Minutes of Japan's Monetary Policy Meeting
MINUTES - Minutes of the Bank of Japan's Monetary Policy Meeting on 30 October 2002, released 20 December. Consumer prices continued to decline by slightly less than 1 percent year on year. The pace of year-on-year decline in the Consumer Price Index…
Japan's Takenaka seeks new relationship with BOJ
Japan's Economics and Financial Services Minister, Heizo Takenaka, said on Wednesday a new relationship is needed between his government and the Bank of Japan for a common goal on policy targets.
Takenaka upbeat on Japan growth after Bank reform
Japan's economy and banking minister said Tuesday the economy could eventually return to growth as high as 2.5% after a slow-growth period of painful reform. Heizo Takenaka spoke at the Australian National University and maintained pressure on the Bank…
New face to front foreign exchange policy in Japan
Zembei Mizoguchi became Japan's new voice on foreign exchange policy Tuesday, taking on the tough task of deciding when and by how much to intervene in the market to halt a rapid rise in the yen, analysts said. Speculation also mounted that Haruhiko…
BOJ Hayami: Decision on successor not imminent
The appointment of the next Bank of Japan (BOJ) governor is not imminent, and it will take some time for a decision to be reached, current governor Masaru Hayami was quoted as saying on Monday. On Friday we reported how there were conflicting statements…
Interview - McKibbin backs old friend Takenaka
INTERVIEW - In an interview given Monday Reserve Bank of Australia board member Warwick McKibbin supported his 'old friend' Japanese Economics Minister Heizo Takenaka's campaign to unite the government and central bank to fight deflation.
BoJ can take bolder measures: Takenaka
The Bank of Japan (BoJ) could take more radical action to boost the ailing economy such as setting an inflation target, Financial Services and Economy Minister Heizo Takenaka said on Friday.
Japan nears crucial decision on new BOJ governor
ARTICLE - The Japanese government looks set to announce within days who will be the next governor of the central bank, one of the most crucial appointments it will make in its efforts to revive the struggling economy.
Taya on recent economic developments in Japan
SPEECH - In the speech 'Recent Economic and Financial Developments and Monetary Policy in Japan' Teizo Taya of the Bank of Japan said that in his opinion the Bank of Japan should not introduce an inflation target. Although efforts to increase the money…
BOJ's Hayami to attend BIS meeting in Basel
Bank of Japan Governor Masaru Hayami is due to visit Basel, Switzerland, from Friday to attend a meeting of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), the central bank said.
Japan cleanup push may not spur policy offensive
Sources familiar with central bank thinking say the BOJ views the disposal of bad loans as Japan's most significant domestic economic issue but doesn't expect the impact of the disposal process will be severe.