Outgoing Bank of Japan Gov. Masaru Hayami on Wednesday credited his faith in God for pulling him through a turbulent and difficult five-year term.

"I would always think back to the scripture, and the verse, 'Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: And lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee,' " he told a congregation of reporters.

On his last day as governor, Hayami said he spent many sleepless nights at the top.