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☆ Japan's central bank just raised interest rates for the first time in 17 years
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Yuri Kageyama | Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewTOKYO (AP) — Japan's central bank raised its benchmark interest rate Tuesday for the first time in 17 years, ending a longstanding policy of negative rates meant to boost the economy. The short-term rate was raised to a range of 0 to 0.1% from minus 0.1% at a policy meeting that confirmed expectations of a shift away from ultra-lax monetary policy. The negative interest rate policy, combined with other measures to inject money into the economy and keep borrowing costs low, "have fulfilled their roles," the bank said in a statement. The Japanese central bank's policy is quite different from those of the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank. Analysts expect the Bank of Japan to continue to move slowly on further raising interest rates.

Persons: —, Kazuo Ueda, Haruhiko Kuroda Organizations: Service, Business, Bank of, Bank of Japan, US Federal Reserve, European Central Bank Locations: Japan, Bank of Japan, U.S, China

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s central bank raised its benchmark interest rate Tuesday for the first time in 17 years, ending a longstanding policy of negative rates meant to boost the economy. The negative interest rate policy, combined with other measures to inject money into the economy and keep borrowing costs low, “have fulfilled their roles,” Bank of Japan Gov. But it had remained cautious about “normalizing” monetary policy, or ending negative borrowing rates, even after data showed inflation at about that rate in recent months. Ueda said there was “a positive cycle” of a gradual rise of wages and prices, while stressing that monetary policy will remain easy for some time. The Japanese central bank's policy is quite different from those of the U.S. Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank.

Persons: “, Kazuo Ueda, Ueda, Harumi Taguchi, Haruhiko Kuroda, ___ Yuri Kageyama Organizations: TOKYO, ” Bank of Japan Gov, Bank of, Analysts, P Global Market Intelligence, U.S . Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Bank of Japan Locations: Japan, Bank of Japan, U.S, China

☆ Goldman Sachs says it's bullish on Japan's online banks
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailGoldman Sachs says it's bullish on Japan's online banksMakoto Kuroda of Goldman Sachs names Rakuten and SSNB as banks it's positive on.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, it's bullish, Makoto Kuroda

☆ BOJ's hawkish rhetoric signals chance negative rates may end soon
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Having watered down YCC at its last policy meeting, the BOJ's next goal is to pull short-term rates out of negative territory early next year, sources have told Reuters. That leaves open the chance of an policy change in January, when the BOJ next reviews its quarterly price forecasts. Most expect an end to both YCC and negative rates. "It's an awfully big upgrade and shows how the BOJ had made estimates that were way too low," said former BOJ top economist Hideo Hayakawa, who expects negative rates to end in April. Even if it ends negative rates, nominal short-term borrowing costs will remain well below levels that neither stimulate nor cool the economy - estimated by analysts to stand somewhere near 2%.

Persons: Issei Kato, Ueda, Kazuo Ueda's, Haruhiko Kuroda, Kuroda, Mari Iwashita, Hideo Hayakawa, Takahide, Leika Kihara, Takahiko Wada, Sam Holmes Organizations: Bank of Japan, REUTERS, Daiwa Securities, Japan Center for Economic Research, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, TOKYO, U.S

☆ Are Japanese banks a buy after the BOJ's recent decision?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Amala Balakrishner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailAre Japanese banks a buy after the BOJ's recent decision? Makoto Kuroda of Goldman Sachs discusses Bank of Japan's recent decision to increase flexibility on its yield curve control.

Persons: Makoto Kuroda, Goldman Sachs Organizations: Bank

☆ Goldman says Bank of Japan's policy tweak is good news for banks — and names top picks in the sector
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Amala Balakrishner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

She noted that a flexible YCC "may be conducive to a more controlled yield rise since there's no more line in the sand to go against." Elsewhere, Kuroda wrote in notes to CNBC that Japanese banks "remain in focus as a beneficiary" of BOJ's interest rate normalization. A more flexible interest rate on BOJ operations may allow for a controlled rise in long-term yields, Kuroda said in notes to CNBC. "This might make it easier for banks to buy or reinvest JGB portfolio at higher yields." Japanese bank stock picks Goldman Sachs continues to name conviction list stock Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) and Mizuho as its top picks from the Japanese banking sector.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, BOJ, Makoto Kuroda, CNBC's, Kuroda, Yuka Azami, MUFG, Goldman, CNBC's Naman Tandon, Lim Hui Jie Organizations: CNBC, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial, Mizuho, Tokyo Stock

☆ Exclusive: BOJ plans to exit from easy policy next year but needs some good fortune
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Ueda's intentions are based on interviews with six sources familiar with the BOJ's thinking, including government officials with direct interaction with the bank. "Given uncertainty over the economic outlook, the BOJ probably wants to wait at least until spring next year in normalising policy," said another source. If the yen continues to fall, that could heighten political pressure on the BOJ to exit sooner than it wants, some analysts say. The risk of sharp yen falls and an inflation overshoot may leave the BOJ with less time than it wants to exit. "The BOJ doesn't have much time left, a point governor Ueda is probably mindful of."

Persons: Kazuo Ueda, Ueda, Kuroda, it's, Robert Samson, Ueda hasn't, Hiromi Yamaoka, Leika Kihara, Anisha, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Japan, Kyodo, REUTERS, Bank of Japan, Nikko Asset Management, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, BOJ, YCC, TOKYO, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ BOJ chooses slow path out of zero-rate limbo
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Peter Thal Larsen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Susana Vera Acquire Licensing RightsHONG KONG, Oct 31 (Reuters Breakingviews) - The Bank of Japan (8301.T) is taking the long road out of zero-interest rate limbo. On the face of it, BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda and his colleagues made few policy changes at their latest meeting. The short-term interest rate remains negative, while the official yield target for 10-year Japanese government bonds is unchanged at 0%. However, the real challenge for Ueda is when to end the era of negative short-term interest rates. The BOJ’s nine-member board maintained its target for short-term interest rates of -0.1%.

Persons: Kazuo Ueda, Susana Vera, Haruhiko Kuroda, Ueda, “, Antony Currie, Thomas Shum Organizations: Japan, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, REUTERS, Reuters, Bank of Japan, U.S, Thomson Locations: Marrakech, Morocco, HONG KONG, Japan

☆ Goldman Sachs says it expects Japan to remove yield curve control in April 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailGoldman Sachs says it expects Japan to remove yield curve control in April 2024Makoto Kuroda of the investment bank says Japan's banking sector stands to benefit from its central bank's interest rate normalization and corporate governance reform.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Makoto Kuroda Locations: Japan

☆ BOJ dispels view risk of loss will impede easy-policy exit
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda speaks at a group interview with media in Tokyo, Japan, May 25, 2023. "The objective of the Bank's monetary policy is achieving price stability, which is its mission as stipulated by law. "A central bank's ability to conduct monetary policy is not impaired by a temporary decrease in its profits and capital, provided that it conducts appropriate monetary policy," he said. Some academics have warned the BOJ's huge balance sheet will make an exit from ultra-loose policy difficult by exposing it to massive losses that could put its credibility on the line. But he has also said the BOJ will consider an exit when sustained, stable achievement of its price target is in sight.

Persons: Kazuo Ueda, Kim Kyung, Ueda, Haruhiko, Leika Kihara, William Mallard, Sonali Paul, Michael Perry Organizations: Japan, REUTERS, Bank of Japan, Japan Society of Monetary, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, TOKYO

☆ BOJ keeps ultra-loose policy, dovish guidance on outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Leika Kihara | Tetsushi Kajimoto | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

FILE PHOTO: Japanese national flag is hoisted atop the headquarters of Bank of Japan in Tokyo, Japan September 20, 2023. It also left unchanged an allowance band of 50 basis point set either side of the yield target, as well as a new hard cap of 1.0% adopted in July. A Reuters poll for September showed most economists predicting an end to negative interest rates in 2024. But some analysts see the yen, rather than wage growth or inflation, as the primary trigger for BOJ action. Growing prospects of higher-for-longer U.S. interest rates have pushed the yen down near the 150-per-dollar level, seen as Tokyo’s line-in-the-sand for possible currency intervention.

Persons: Issei Kato, Kazuo Ueda’s, Ueda, Haruhiko Organizations: Bank of Japan, REUTERS Locations: TOKYO, Tokyo, Japan, “, U.S

☆ BOJ to heighten scrutiny on rising prices, yields at policy meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

All economists surveyed in a Reuters poll expect the central bank to maintain its short-term interest rate target of -0.1% and that for the 10-year bond yield around 0%. Ueda told a recent interview the BOJ could have enough data by year-end to determine whether to end negative rates, heightening market expectations of a near-term policy shift. A Reuters poll for September showed most economists predicting an end to negative interest rates in 2024. Growing prospects of longer-for-higher U.S. interest rates have pushed the yen down near the 150-per-dollar level seen as Tokyo’s line-in-the-sand for possible currency intervention. Mari Iwashita, chief market economist at Daiwa Securities, expects the BOJ to tweak its dovish forward guidance in October and end its negative rate policy early next year.

Persons: Issei Kato, Kazuo Ueda’s, Ueda, Haruhiko, Mari Iwashita, ” Organizations: Bank of, Bank of Japan, REUTERS, Daiwa Securities Locations: TOKYO, Bank of Japan, Tokyo, Japan, U.S

☆ Japan's central bank will keep stimulus for now as risks grow
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A man walks in front of the headquarters of Bank of Japan in Tokyo, Japan, January 18, 2023. Many central bank policymakers prefer to hold fire until there is more clarity on whether Japan's fragile economy can weather the hit from slowing U.S. and Chinese demand, they say. "Uncertainty over the global outlook is very high, posing a huge risk to Japan's economy," one of the sources said. At the two-day meeting ending on Friday, the BOJ is widely expected to maintain its short-term interest rate target of -0.1% and that for the 10-year bond yield around 0%. It is also seen leaving unchanged guidance pledging to keep intact its bond yield control policy until inflation stably hits the bank's 2% target, the sources said.

Persons: Issei Kato, Ueda, Kazuo Ueda, Haruhiko, Leika Kihara, Sam Holmes Organizations: Bank of Japan, REUTERS, Bank of, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, TOKYO, Bank of Japan, United States

☆ What will BOJ's policy normalisation path look like?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda speaks at a group interview with media in Tokyo, Japan, May 25, 2023. But his hawkish remarks have pushed up the 10-year JGB yield to a near decade-high of 0.715% on Tuesday. It also likely sees 0.8% as a threshold it wants to defend to avoid the 10-year yield from reaching 1%. That could mean the BOJ will retain the yield cap as a precaution when it raises short-term rates, some analysts say. There are no scheduled public appearances of BOJ executives until governor Ueda's regular news conference, to be held after the BOJ's next two-day policy meeting ending on Sept. 22.

Persons: Kazuo Ueda, Kim Kyung, Kazuo Ueda's hawkish, Ueda, Haruhiko Kuroda, Ueda's, Leika Kihara, Tetsushi, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Japan, REUTERS, Rights, Bank of Japan, Rengo, NEXT, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan

☆ Analysis: BOJ's hawkish tilt suggests end to super-easy policy approaching
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Another board member, Junko Nakagawa, laid out the conditions for ending negative rates, notably a continued improvement in household confidence. "When we see many people share prospects that wages will keep rising, we may be able to exit (negative rates)." Less than half expect negative rates to end in 2024. There seems to be no consensus within the BOJ board, however, on when or how the bank would dismantle Kuroda's complex policy framework. Ueda said the BOJ could end negative rates if it believed that inflation would sustainably hold above the target.

Persons: Kazuo Ueda, Kim Kyung, Ueda, Tamura, Haruhiko Kuroda, Naoki Tamura, Kuroda, Mari Iwashita, Hajime Takata, Junko Nakagawa, Shinichi Uchida, Leika, Sam Holmes Organizations: Japan, REUTERS, Bank of Japan, Daiwa Securities, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, TOKYO, U.S

☆ BOJ policymaker calls for keeping ultra-easy policy, sets high bar on exit
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

As a result, it was hard to say when inflation could hit the bank's 2% inflation target in a sustainable manner, she said. "But we're not at a stage where we can judge that Japan has achieved our price target in a stable, sustainable fashion." The BOJ has defined sustainable inflation as price rises driven not by rising raw material costs, but strong domestic demand accompanied by continued wage increases. But she laid out in detail the conditions for ending negative rates. "When we see many people share prospects that wages will keep rising, we may be able to exit (negative rates)," she added.

Persons: Androniki, Nakagawa, Bank of Japan policymaker Junko Nakagawa, Haruhiko Kuroda, We're, Kazuo Ueda, Leika Kihara, Tom Hogue, Kim Coghill, Emelia Organizations: REUTERS, Bank of Japan, Thomson Locations: Japan, Tokyo, KOCHI, Kochi

☆ BOJ policymaker sees shift in Japan's deflationary mindset
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Policymaker Takata stressed the need to maintain ultra-loose monetary policy for the time being, as slowing global growth was heightening uncertainty on whether the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) 2% inflation target was sustainably achievable. In an earlier speech, he said he believe Japan's economy was "finally seeing early signs" of achieving the 2% target. Two other BOJ board members earlier gave diverging views on how soon the central bank should consider scaling back its radical stimulus. Japan's core inflation hit 3.1% in July, exceeding the BOJ's 2% target for the 16th straight month. BOJ officials have said the central bank must keep interest rates ultra-low until robust domestic demand and sustained wage growth replace rising import costs as key drivers of inflation.

Persons: Androniki, Takata, Hajime Takata, Policymaker Takata, Haruhiko Kuroda, Leika Kihara, Tetsushi Kajimoto, Takahiko Wada, Tom Hogue, Lincoln, John Stonestreet Organizations: REUTERS, Bank of Japan's, CHINA IMPACT, Thomson Locations: Japan, Tokyo, TOKYO, China, CHINA

☆ BOJ policymaker sees signs of change in Japan's deflationary mindset
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An office employee walks in front of the bank of Japan building in Tokyo, Japan, April 7, 2023. Takata stressed the need to maintain ultra-loose monetary policy for the time being, as slowing global growth heightens uncertainty on whether Japan can sustainably achieve the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) 2% inflation target. "Personally, I believe Japan's economy is finally seeing early signs of achieving the BOJ's 2% inflation target," Takata said in a speech. The remarks follow those of two other BOJ board members, who gave diverging views on how soon the central bank should consider scaling back its radical stimulus. BOJ officials have said the central bank must keep interest rates ultra-low until robust domestic demand and sustained wage growth replace rising import costs as key drivers of inflation.

Persons: Androniki, Takata, Hajime Takata, Haruhiko Kuroda, Leika Kihara, Tom Hogue Organizations: REUTERS, of Japan's, Thomson Locations: Japan, Tokyo, TOKYO, Lincoln

☆ Reaching 2% inflation goal necessary for BOJ easy policy exit, says ex-board member Kataoka
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Divya Chowdhury | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MUMBAI, Sept 4 (Reuters) - The Bank of Japan (BOJ) will be able to gradually shift away from its easy monetary policy only after ensuring its 2% inflation goal has been sustainably achieved, former board member Goushi Kataoka said on Monday. Kataoka expected the Spring 2024 wage negotiations to be key for the BOJ's inflation mission, Kataoka, currently chief economist at PwC Japan, told the Reuters Global Markets Forum. Once it begins exiting policy, Kataoka expects the BOJ to first remove the peg on the 10-year Japanese government bond (JGB) yield, then exit its negative interest rate policy, and finally scrap the YCC policy. "Allowing the guide rate to effectively go as low as 1% would not be possible until the 2% (inflation) target is achieved," Kataoka said. "I'm worried about the stance of Kishida cabinet," he said, describing the previous administrations' tax hikes in 2014 and 2019 as undermining the Kuroda's bold monetary policy experiment.

Persons: Goushi Kataoka, Kataoka, Haruhiko Kuroda, BOJ, I'm, Divya Chowdhury, Savio Shetty, Anisha, Christina Fincher Organizations: Bank of Japan, Reuters Global Markets, Thomson Locations: MUMBAI, Mumbai, Bengaluru

New Governor of Bank of Japan Kazuo Ueda meets Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at prime minister?s official residence in Tokyo, Japan, April 10, 2023. The discussions took place in the wake of the dollar's recent ascent above 145 yen, a level that in September 2022 triggered Japan's first yen-buying operation since 1998. "There wasn't anything in particular discussed today," Ueda told reporters after the meeting, when asked whether the two held talks on recent exchange-rate volatility. Ueda also said he explained to Kishida the Bank of Japan's decision last month to loosen its grip on long-term interest rates. It was the second such meeting since Ueda assumed the top BOJ post in April.

Persons: Bank of Japan Kazuo Ueda, Fumio Kishida, Kimimasa, Ueda Yen, Kazuo Ueda, Japan's, Ueda, Haruhiko, Shunichi Suzuki, Tetsushi Kajimoto, Satoshi Sugiyama, Chang, Ran Kim, Edmund Klamann Organizations: Bank of Japan, REUTERS Acquire, Ueda, Bank of, Soaring U.S, Treasury, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, TOKYO

☆ Insight: BOJ makes bold shift as yen risks grow too big to ignore
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

The BOJ's decision shook markets on Friday and contrasted sharply with Ueda's more cautious comments in recent months about the dangers of retreating too quickly from accommodative Kuroda-era policies. "There's also a small but probable risk of inflation overshooting in Japan, which gave the BOJ reason to act." NEW PRIORITIESThe BOJ's policy decision last week signalled to investors that it would now allow the 10-year government bond yield to move closer to 1% before it intervenes. 'BIT BY BIT'The shift in thinking gained momentum at the BOJ's June policy meeting, but not enough to turn the tide. It was a test case, or a preliminary exercise, toward future policy normalisation," said former BOJ board member Takahide Kiuchi.

Persons: Issei Kato, Kazuo Ueda, Haruhiko Kuroda, Fumio, accommodative Kuroda, Ueda, YCC, There's, Hirokazu Matsuno, Seiji Adachi, Asahi Noguchi, Ryozo Himino, Shinichi Uchida, Uchida, Masato Kanda, Kanda, Takahide, Leika Kihara, Takaya Yamaguchi, Takahiko Wada, Kentaro Sugiyama, Yoshifumi, Sam Holmes Organizations: Bank of Japan, REUTERS, TOKYO, Bank, Ueda, Reuters, BIT, Asahi, Nikkei, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan

☆ How Phish’s Lighting Designer Jams With the Band
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Marc Tracy | More About Marc Tracy | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“I will in the subtlest way shake my head and say, ‘No, I’m not there,’” Anastasio said in an interview, “and from way back in the room he always gets this little message. I can take it around eight more bars, or four more bars, this peak, and he’ll make some incredible move right when we make the move. I don’t think anyone would notice this happening other than us.”Last Friday night at Madison Square Garden, Anastasio’s interlocutor was standing behind five monitors and a lighting control console, wearing a black T-shirt, jeans and Hoka sneakers. He controlled 100 base lighting looks — different permutations of 302 lights, with 79 colors preprogrammed for Phish — some mounted on 30 movable pieces of truss above the stage. It was his 1,752nd Phish show lighting the band.

Persons: Trey Anastasio, ’ ” Anastasio, ”, Anastasio’s interlocutor, Chris Kuroda Organizations: Madison Locations: Vermont

☆ Some at Bank of Japan baulked at ex-chief Kuroda's 'bazooka' stimulus, 2013 meeting minutes show
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Haruhiko Kuroda speaks during a news conference after attending the Monetary Policy Meeting at BOJ headquarters in Tokyo, Japan January 18, 2023, in this photo released by Kyodo. TOKYO, July 31 (Reuters) - Some Bank of Japan (BOJ) policymakers baulked at former chief Haruhiko Kuroda's idea of deploying a "bazooka" massive stimulus a decade ago, unconvinced central banks had the power to jolt public perceptions, accounts of the meeting released on Monday showed. Former banker Koji Ishida said he would propose reviewing the stimulus programme if no tangible results were seen one year into its launch, the minutes showed. Since then, the BOJ has capped long-term borrowing costs at about zero and has pledged to maintain ultra-low interest rates until its 2% inflation target is sustainably met and accompanied by wage growth. After serving two, five-year terms, Kuroda stepped down from the top BOJ post in March.

Persons: Haruhiko Kuroda, baulked, Haruhiko, Shinzo Abe, Kuroda, Masaaki Shirakawa, Hiroshi Nakaso, Takahide Kiuchi, Takehiro Sato, Sato, Koji Ishida, Leika Kihara, Jamie Freed Organizations: Bank of Japan, Kyodo ., Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Kyodo . TOKYO

☆ Investors manoeuvre, warily, for long-shot BOJ policy move
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Kevin Buckland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

SLOWLY, STEADILYBOJ sources say the central bank is leaning towards keeping its yield control policy unchanged as policymakers wait for data to affirm wages and inflation will keep rising. The benchmark 10-year JGB yield also retreated to 0.445% from as high as 0.485%. "We don't short the JGB market. In part, it's an expensive thing to do - as you know, the Bank of Japan owns 110% of the 10-year JGB market," he said. "Nobody's calling for them to hike aggressively, just bringing some function back to the JGB market, allowing themselves to step away because the data has given them an opportunity to do so.

Persons: Jimmy Lim, Lim, Kazuo Ueda, Nigel Foo, Haruhiko Kuroda, Jim Leaviss, Leaviss, Michael Michaelides, Ales Koutny, James Athey, Athey, Kevin Buckland, Ankur Banerjee, Summer Zhen, Alun John, Divya Chowdhury, Harry Robertson, Vidya Ranganathan, Edmund Klamann Organizations: Bank of Japan, Management, ING, Investors, G Investments, Vanguard, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Singapore, FSI, abrdn

☆ Japan's top financial diplomat signals chance of BOJ policy tweaks
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Tetsushi Kajimoto | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, July 21 (Reuters) - Japan's top financial diplomat on Friday suggested the central bank may tweak its approach to monetary stimulus at its next policy meeting, due to "signs of changes" in corporate behaviour on wage growth and price rises. In rare remarks on monetary policy, Masato Kanda, vice finance minister for international affairs, said he expects the Bank of Japan (BOJ) to make a judgment on policy by analysing the conditions and outlook for prices at every review. "Various expectations and speculations are spreading about the possibility of some kind of tweak to monetary policy," he said. The BOJ, under Governor Kazuo Ueda's predecessor Haruhiko Kuroda, launched an unprecedented round of monetary stimulus in 2013, pledging to inflate the economy to meet a 2% inflation target in two years. The BOJ is leaning towards keeping its yield control policy unchanged at next week's meeting, five sources familiar with its thinking said, as policymakers prefer to scrutinise more data to ensure wages and inflation keep rising.

Persons: Masato Kanda, Kanda's, Kanda, Kazuo Ueda's, Haruhiko Kuroda, Tetsushi Kajimoto, Leika Kihara, Satoshi Sugiyama, Andrew Heavens, Miral Fahmy, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Bank of Japan, Reuters, Thomson Locations: TOKYO

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