Japan
BoJ asks for gov't approval to boost its capital
The Bank of Japan said in a statement on Thursday 15 May that it is seeking government approval to increase the amount of money it sets aside to boost its capital, according to Bloomberg News.
'Mr Yen' suggests new era of deflation
Frmer vice-finance minister of Japan, Eisuke Sakakibara, who is known as Mr Yen, has said he thinks Japan has been unfairly blamed for failing to tackle deflation with conventional monetary policy, according to the Financial Times. He also suggested the…
No honeymoon for Fukui
The world is looking for fresh, decisive policies from the new central bank governor. What can he do? Tomohiko Taniguchi reports from Tokyo.
How Fukui should deal with deflation
In the first of a two-part feature on Japan, Andrew Smithers discusses the economic solutions and political obstructions to reviving the stagnant economy.
IMF sees need for Japan inflation target
A senior adviser at the IMF's research department said Friday that the Bank of Japan needs to create expectations that deflation can be beaten and should consider introducing an inflation targeting policy.
Role of Money Stock in Conducting Monetary Policy
Bank of Japan research paper examining economic and financial developments since the 1990s. This paper discusses (1) the role of he money stock within the Bank of Japan's (the Bank's) monetary policy and (2) why the relationship between the money stock…
Minutes of Japan's Monetary Policy Meeting
Minutes of the Bank of Japan's Monetary Policy Meeting on 25 March 2003, released 6 May. Some members said that a reduction in banks' exposure to risks arising from stock-price volatility would be effective in preventing stock-price falls from negatively…
BOJ minutes show concern over banks stock holdings
Minutes from the Bank of Japan's policy board meeting released Tuesday showed members deliberated the need to help commercial banks reduce stock holdings and cut share-investment losses.
BoJ chief ignores bank share pressure
Speaking on Friday 2 May, Bank of Japan chief Toshihiko Fukui said the central bank cannot take limitless risk, which is a job that only the government can do. His comments, reported by Associated Press, were a response to government pressure to step up…
Japan vice finance minister praises BOJ move
The Bank of Japan's decision to further relax its ultra loose monetary policy gained support from the government on Thursday 1 May,when Vice Finance Minister Masakazu Hayashi said he hoped the move would have a positive effect on the economy, Reuters…
Bank of Japan eases monetary policy
In a surprise move the Bank of Japan eased monetary policy sharply on Wednesday30 April, reports the Financial times. . In a statement the BoJ said the move was seen as appropriate in light of current "uncertainty regarding the economic and financial…
BoJ drawing up plan to bolster capital adequacy
The Bank of Japan is planning to ask the Finance Ministry if it can increase the level of its capital reserves to offset the adverse impact from a growing amount of stocks and other riskier assets, according to the Asahi Shimbun.
Japan's PM says 1-2 % inflation good for economy
Junichiro Koizumi said at the weekend that rises of around one to two per cent annually would benefit the economy and price falls are not "desirable", Reuters reports.
BoJ can increase bank shareholdings
The Bank of Japan could increase its purchase of shares held by Japanese banks as part of its drive to protect them from falling stock prices, says BOJ governor Toshihiko Fukui as reported by Associated Press as
LDP's Yamasaki says expects more steps from BOJ
A senior Japanese politician said on Wednesday 16 April he had confidence that the Bank of Japan would adopt new measures to boost Japan's ailing economy, Reuters reports.
Bank of Japan Monthly Report, April 2003
The Bank of Japan published its Monthly Report of Recent Economic and Financial Developments, April 2003, on 10 April. In the report the BOJ acknowledged that economic activity remained flat. But it was more upbeat about business investment and said…
Bank of Japan head pledges to fight deflation
Toshihiko Fukui said at the weekend the central bank is ready to act on deflation, Bloomberg reports. He also said that he sensed most participants of the G7 meeting showed strong interest as to what policy stance he will be taking as governor of the BOJ.
Minutes of Japan's Monetary Policy Meeting
Minutes of the Bank of Japan's Monetary Policy Meeting on 4 and 5 March 2003 were released on 11 April. A member of the Policy Board said that the central bank could adopt operations that influenced asset prices as a way of boosting the economy.
Ex-BoJ Nakagawa interview: BOJ wary of risky asset
In a recent interview published by Dow Jones Newswires, former Bank of Japan executive director Yukitsugu Nakagawa said that the BoJ wants to buy foreign bonds as part of its efforts to rid the country of deflation. But this move would be opposed by the…
BoJ considers purchase of asset-backed securities
Japan's central bank was reported by the Financial Times as saying on Tuesday 8 April that it may take unconventional steps, such as buying securities, to push the nation's economy toward recovery while keeping cash circulating in the financial system.
Bank of Japan monetary policy meeting release
At its monetary policy meeting held on 8 April the Bank of Japan said continued uncertainty and geopolitical risks meant the Bank would provide liquidity when necessary to secure financial market stability.
Bank of Japan statement on securities purchase
Examination of Possible Purchase of Asset-Backed Securities by the Bank of Japan, 8 April.
Ex-BoJ Kanno expects action from Fukui
In an interview with Dow Jones, ex-Bank of Japan official Masaaki Kanno said rather than increase the BOJ's account balance target to shake-off deflation the BOJ's new governor Toshihiko Fukui will focus more on ways to make sure that money injected by…
Call for further anti-deflation measures from BoJ
Heizo Takenaka, Japan's chief financial regulator, has called for further anti-deflation steps to be taken at the Bank of Japan's next meeting in early April. According to Asahi Shimbun, Takenaka said on Sunday 30 march that increasing the volume of…