Masaaki Shirakawa
Robert Pringle’s Viewpoint: Assessing Masaaki Shirakawa’s legacy
The policies of outgoing Bank of Japan governor, Masaaki Shirakawa, have brought economic stability to Japan and are likely to be viewed favourably by future generations
People: Shirakawa to step down early; Cyprus creates new post of deputy governor
BoJ governor to leave his post ahead of end of term; Cyprus creates deputy governor post to help conform with Troika demands; and more
Shirakawa warns US and Europe have more to learn from Japan's experience
BoJ governor gives his view on the role of central banks and monetary policy in a speech covering reactions to Lehman, the European debt crisis and the earthquake of 2011
Fears over BoJ independence as central bank bows to government
Commentators express concerns over the Bank of Japan’s independence as the central bank introduces 2% inflation target and open-ended asset purchases
Abe adviser hints at possible BoJ governor candidates
Economic adviser to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe suggests possible names and criteria for the next Bank of Japan governor
BoJ formally asked to double inflation target
Japanese government pressures Bank of Japan to increase short-run inflation target to 2%; no action likely before next monetary policy meeting on January 21–22
The ghost at the IMF’s Tokyo feast
Robert Pringle looks back at the main themes of the IMF’s annual meeting, which was held in October in Tokyo, and forward to prospects for 2013
Shirakawa defends role of market prices in policy-making
BoJ governor says price movements in financial markets were mishandled before the crisis, but they do reflect the wider economy and can be useful to central banks
Shirakawa deflects criticism over off-target inflation
BoJ chief says Japan needs stronger growth potential for effect of loose monetary policy to feed through fully; urges government to take action
Japan heading for recession as economy contracts in third quarter
Bank of Japan’s back-to-back monetary easing in October was due to a significant weakening in the country’s economic outlook
Shirakawa proposes tackling financial stability as a ‘public good problem’
Bank of Japan governor, Masaaki Shirakawa, says an optimal solution to create the conditions needed for financial stability could be achieved by reviewing the challenge as a ‘public good problem’
Adaptability key to stability, says Shirakawa
Bank of Japan governor reviews the main roles of central banks and says adaptability is now crucial to achieving other goals
Kim succeeds Shirakawa as chairman of BIS Asia council
Bank of Korea governor Choongsoo Kim named chairman of the BIS Asian Consultative Council
Bundesbank starts foreign reserve operations in Tokyo
German central bank upgrades Tokyo representative office on 25th anniversary to full trading office; starts trading in Asian timezone to lower costs and gain information edge
Shirakawa calls for increase in Japan’s potential for growth
Bank of Japan governor says monetary easing has created accommodative financial conditions; calls for private sector to take advantage
BoJ’s Shirakawa calls for 'drastic deregulation' to promote growth
Masaaki Shirakawa sets out possibilities for encouraging increased investment to promote growth and inflation expectations; firms reluctant to borrow despite monetary easing
PBoC, BoJ and Bank of Korea governors meet in China
Central bank governors meet to discuss economic and financial issues in the three countries; yearly meeting held as part of efforts to strengthen co-operation and communication
BoJ’s Shirakawa urges cautious acceptance of financial innovation
Masaaki Shirakawa says innovative use of futures trading could create benefits for the wider economy; says this must be carefully controlled by implementation of Basel III rules
Shirakawa calls for stronger trans-Pacific links
Masaaki Shirakawa delivers speech encouraging countries to strengthen economic ties across the Pacific; describes stronger links as a “win-win” situation
Shirakawa discusses BoJ monetary policy
Governor of Bank of Japan considers central bank’s monetary policy stance and explains the rationale behind recent policy decisions
BoJ’s Shirakawa considers demographic change in Japan
Governor of Bank of Japan examines macroeconomic impact of aging population; emphasises that Japan need not accept a lower long-run growth rate
BoJ minutes show unanimous support for further asset purchases
Minutes of Bank of Japan monetary policy meeting released; members vote unanimously to extend asset purchase programme
BoJ to purchase another ¥10 trillion of JGBs
Bank of Japan increases size of asset purchase programme in line with expectations; faces call to end 'banknote rule'
Shirakawa pays respects to former Bank of Japan governor
Masaaki Shirakawa remembers former governor Yasushi Mieno who passed away in April; calls him a man of “courage and thoughtfulness”