Japan
Ex-BOJ Wakatsuki - No return to zero rates
The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is likely to keep the key short-term rate target at 0.25 percent for some time, and a return to providing free money was improbable, former BOJ director Mikio Wakatsuki said on Jan. 25. "I think the BOJ will keep the key short…
BoJ Gov dismissed worries over financial stability
Bank of Japan Governor Masaru Hayami has downplayed concerns that the country's financial stability could be put at risk by falling stock prices. Speaking on Jan. 25 at the Upper House audit committee, the central bank chief said, "there is no need to be…
MTS sees JGB volume soaring with electronic deals
The start of an electronic inter-dealer brokerage system for Japanese government bonds (JGBs) will bring a huge increase in trading volumes, MTS Japan Securities CEO William Campbell said in an interview.
Hayami rules out early quantitative easing steps
Bank of Japan Gov. Masaru Hayami said Jan. 23 that an instruction issued to bank executives to study ways to boost liquidity in the nation's money market does not mean the central bank will take additional quantitative monetary easing measures any time…
Japanese interest rates held at 0.25%
At the Monetary Policy Meeting held Jan 19, the Bank of Japan decided, by majority vote, to maintain the uncollateralized overnight call rate at an average of around 0.25%.
Japan's RTGS to go live Jan 4 as planned
The Bank of Japan said Jan 2 it would launch its new real-time gross settlement system for bond and money market trading on Thursday, as planned. The BOJ made the announcement after earlier conducting a last-minute systems test to make sure all…
BOJ's Hayami highlights risks to Japan economy
Japan's central bank governor said on Dec 22 the deflation risks that have hamstrung economic recovery for years were back in the picture, while the top economic planner hinted that growth may have already contracted.
BoJ preparing for RTGS start on January 4
The Bank of Japan has been preparing for the introduction of the new RTGS system to the BOJ-NET, the Bank's on-line system for the settlement of funds and the Japanese government securities.
BOJ's Hayami says Japan recovery stalling
Improvement in Japanese corporate sentiment has stalled and the nation's economic recovery has slowed, the nation's central bank chief said on Tuesday, confirming what financial markets have suspected for weeks.
FRC declares Kansai Kogin, Tokyo Shogin insolvent
The government's Financial Reconstruction Commission (FRC) on Saturday declared Kansai Kogin and Tokyo Shogin insolvent, believing the credit unions are severely undercapitalised, and will appoint administrators to oversee them, FRC officials said.
BOJ board keeps monetary policy unchanged
The Bank of Japan said on Friday its policy board decided to continue its policy of driving the key overnight call rate to 0.25%, a decision widely expected by financial markets. The decision was by a majority vote.
Hayami says to supply ample funds for RTGS start
Bank of Japan governor Masaru Hayami said on Friday the central bank would supply ample funds to the money market to prepare for the adoption of the Real-Time Gross Settlement system on January 4.
BOJ eyes extension of settlement system operation
The Bank of Japan said Monday it is considering operating its settlement system until 5:30 p.m., instead of an earlier-planned 5 p.m., on days for issuance of certain government securities.
No need to return to zero-rate policy - Miyazawa
Japanese finance minister Kiichi Miyazawa said Friday he does not think the Bank of Japan needs to restore its zero-interest-rate policy, although the economy needs to be watched carefully in the areas of personal consumption and employment.
Fujiwara-Can't say if return to zero rate possible
Bank of Japan deputy governor Sakuya Fujiwara said on Thursday he could not say whether it was possible to return to a policy of guiding the key overnight call rate virtually to zero.
OECD calls for 'greater clarity' from BOJ
While the future looks more positive for Japan, significant reforms including greater transparency from the Bank of Japan still need to be made, the Organisation for Economic Development and Cooperation said Wednesday in its annual economic survey of…
Ex-Fed Blinder - Japan needs cheaper yen
Alan Blinder, a former deputy chairman of the Federal Reserve, said Thursday Japan ought to boost demand by making its currency cheaper.
BOJ decides to leave monetary policy unchanged
The Bank of Japan decided at a top policy-making meeting Thursday to leave its monetary policy unchanged until the next session slated for 15 December.
BOJ's pre-tax profit plunges 73.7%
The Bank of Japan announced Wednesday that its pretax profit plunged 73.7% on the year to 248.2 billion yen (US$2.25 billion) in the fiscal first half ended September 30. The central bank suffered massive losses on long-term government bonds, coupled…
Japan regulator suggests bank limit stock sales
In an attempt to stop Japanese banks from dragging the stock market down, Hideyuki Aizawa, head of Japan's Financial Reconstruction Commission, will call on banks to restrict the sale of their stock portfolios.
Bank of Japan can learn from Sweden on inflation
In a letter to the editor in Financial Times today, Professor Lars Jonung argues that the Bank of Japan can learn from the Riksbank in adopting a zero inflation target.
Economic cooperation between Eurozone and Japan
Sakuya Fujiwara, deputy governor of the Bank of Japan, said at a conference that the Japanese economy was on its way to recovery, although significant structural reforms still needed to take place.
Japan FRC head urges BOJ broad view on easing
Japan's top financial regulator on Friday urged the Bank of Japan to take a broad view in deciding whether or not to ease monetary policy, implying he favoured an easing.
Liquidity gridlock feared from Japan's RTGS launch
Japan's introduction of real time settlement for stock and bond transactions may expose banks and brokerages to a temporary liquidity gridlock that could force some to reduce yen-based operations, bankers said on Wednesday.