As the end of Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda's term draws closer, it is widely expected that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will reappoint him to ensure that his aggressive monetary easing policy will continue.
Whoever is chosen will have their work cut out. Despite moderate economic growth in Japan, inflation is still far below the central bank's 2 percent target. The next BOJ chief will also likely have to deal with the complicated process of winding down the stimulus.
In recent interviews, three key voices on monetary policy — Abe advisers Koichi Hamada, Etsuro Honda and former BOJ board member Takahide Kiuchi — offered their views on the right person for the job.