Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda said Thursday that the coronavirus outbreak is having a "serious impact" on the Japanese economy, and that the global economic outlook remains very unclear.
"The BOJ will take additional easing measures without hesitation if necessary" while closely monitoring developments in the spread of the virus, Kuroda told a teleconference with the bank's regional branch managers.
The virtual meeting took place against a background of rising infections in major urban areas. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday declared a state of emergency for Tokyo, Osaka and five other prefectures in an attempt to curb the outbreak.