Japan
BoJ deflects US pressure on bonds
JAPAN - The Bank of Japan yesterday deflected pressure from the US administration to buy foreign bonds to weaken the yen by saying that any such move should be made by the ministry of finance intervening directly in the markets.
Euro changeover may affect Sterling exchange rate
JAPAN - The introduction of euro notes and coins may have implications for the euro-sterling exchange rate, according to Bank of England's director for Europe, John Townend who was speaking in Tokyo.
Bank of Japan monthly report
REPORT - Bank of Japan, Monthly Report of Recent Economic and Financial Developments, November 2001.
BOJ downgrades assessment for 6th month running
JAPAN - The Bank of Japan (BOJ) on Monday downgraded its assessment of Japan's economy for the sixth straight month, saying personal consumption is gradually weakening due to the negative effects of sluggish industrial production on employment and income.
Japan gov't to work with BOJ to tackle deflation
JAPAN - The Japanese government's key policy-setting panel has decided that the government will coordinate policies with the Bank of Japan in an effort to come up with solutions to tackling persistent deflation, according to a memo from the panel's…
BOJ reluctant to ease monetary policy
Bank of Japan Governor Masaru Hayami signalled reluctance to loosen monetary policy, doubting that it would have any effect.
November gloom in Japan
Despite leaving monetary policy on hold last week, the Bank of Japan downgraded its assessment of the economy on Monday, expressing concern about the impact of declining exports and output on incomes and consumer spending.
Japan leaves rates unchanged
JAPAN - As expected, the Bank of Japan made no change to its monetary policy today, following its two-day meeting.
Bank of Japan under pressure
JAPAN - The Bank of Japan was again under pressure from politicians as its two-day policy meeting began today. Worsening economic figures, despite cuts in the lending rate and injections of liquidity by the bank, have led to calls for inflation targeting.
Euro level does not reflect"inner strength"
JAPAN - ECB Vice President Christian Noyer speaking at a financial symposium in Tokyo for the introduction of euro notes and coins, said that there was room for the euro to appreciate.
Hayami: Econ ministers didn't discuss BOJ policy
JAPAN - Bank of Japan Governor Masaru Hayami said Wednesday economic ministers didn't discuss monetary policy at a regular meeting earlier in the day.
Japan's economy set for biggest decline in 20 year
JAPAN - The Japanese economy is set for its most dramatic decline in at least 20 years, the government has admitted.
Hayami: No talk of monetary policy at econ council
JAPAN - Bank of Japan Governor Masaru Hayami said after a meeting of the government's Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy on Friday that the council did not discuss monetary policy.
Japanese politicians lock swords over bank reforms
ARTICLE - The outcome of a tussle within the LDP on changes to the insurance system will be a key test for Tokyo.
Consumer spending falls in Japan
JAPAN - Japanese households spent less in September in spite of falling prices and government attempts to boost consumer spending, official figures show.
BOJ Suda - Weak yen is remedy to stop price falls
JAPAN - Bank of Japan board member Miyako Suda said Monday she believes a weak yen is an appropriate remedy to stop Japan's price declines.
Bank of Japan is pressured to take action
JAPAN - Japanese lawmakers tightened the screws on the Bank of Japan by advancing legislation that would force it to take more aggressive action to stimulate the world's second-largest economy.
Japan's fading economy
ARTICLE - Two years ago, at the height of the dot.com bubble, when there were already worries that the US boom would end in tears, it was argued that the world needed Japan to start growing again before the US stopped doing so. It didn't quite turn out…
Japan Shiokawa/ Hayami: Reiterate need to reflate
JAPAN - Japanese Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa told Bank of Japan Governor Masaru Hayami on Friday he wants the BOJ to boost consumer prices back to levels seen before Japan was gripped by deflation.
Japan's puzzle - Rock bottom rates, few borrowers
ARTICLE - HIROSHIMA, JAPAN - Why does Japan's economy, despite phenomenally low interest rates, keep wasting away? The answer begins in a vegetable garden near here.
Japan toughens stance on Pakistan debt
JAPAN - Japan has said it is unlikely to ease Pakistan's debt burden any further unless the Islamabad government agrees to ban nuclear weapons tests.
Bank of Japan Minutes
MINUTES - Bank of Japan, Minutes of the Monetary Policy Meeting on 18 September.
BOJ: Don't plan to weaken Yen by intervention
JAPAN - The Bank of Japan has no plan to intervene in currency markets to weaken the yen as a way to ease Japan's debilitating deflationary conditions, a senior BOJ official said Wednesday.
Shock rise in Japanese jobless
JAPAN - Unemployment in Japan rose to 5.3% in September, another record high.