Cabinet ministers voiced expectations Tuesday that the government and the Bank of Japan will cooperate more closely to combat deflation following Monday's nomination of Toshihiko Fukui as the new BOJ chief.
Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa and Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Takeo Hiranuma told separate news conferences that the former deputy BOJ governor's nomination was "appropriate," while Financial Services Minister Heizo Takenaka said the government hopes to establish closer cooperation with the central bank in the fight against deflation.
Shiokawa characterized the distance he has seen between the government and the BOJ as "a curtain hanging between them."