Business Jul 2, 2020
Positive rates needed to meet inflation target, says new BOJ board member
The bank must "respond early" to downside risks that could emerge from the pandemic, said former Hitachi executive Toyoaki Nakamura.
Business Jun 16, 2020
Bank of England toolkit may include bond buying policy made in Japan
U.K. investors are looking east to work out what more the Bank of England may do to help support the country’s coronavirus-addled economy.
Business / Financial Markets Jun 12, 2020
Bank of Japan’s aid to lenders hasn't warmed them to negative rates
by Taiga Uranaka and Toru Fujioka
For the country’s commercial banks, the BOJ’s sub-zero rates strategy aimed at stimulating the economy and prices has eroded their profit margins.
Business May 15, 2020
Negative rates unlikely to help in pandemic fight, says ex-BOJ official
There is "near-consensus" among global central banks that negative rates have huge drawbacks, according to Sayuri Shirai
Business | FOCUS Mar 10, 2020
Bank of Japan prodded to act as COVID-19 spreads, but options limited
by Tomoyuki Tachikawa
Many smaller companies in the tourism, retail and other services sectors have encountered bankruptcy risks as the epidemic disrupts supply chains.
Business Mar 5, 2020
Follow the Fed? Why central banks won't be rushed on COVID-19 response
by Balazs Koranyi and Leika Kihara
Will the world's big central banks leave U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell hanging? They're certainly going to try. No major central bank has yet matched the Fed's emergency rate cut in response to the coronavirus outbreak, and there is mounting evidence that its counterparts ...
Business / Economy Feb 27, 2020
BOJ board member urges inflation policy review and stronger steps to avert virus-linked recession
A member of its BOJ’s Policy Board has called for stronger action by the central bank as the widening fallout from the coronavirus outbreak risks tipping the economy into yet another recession.
Business / Economy Feb 6, 2020
BOJ policymaker Takako Masai cautiously optimistic on global outlook despite coronavirus
Bank of Japan board member Takako Masai has said the global economy is on track for a rebound around mid-year as manufacturing activity picks up, signaling that risks such as the coronavirus outbreak do not warrant an immediate expansion of stimulus. Masai, who has consistently ...
Business / Economy Jan 28, 2020
Reflationist Seiji Adachi tapped to replace Yutaka Harada on Bank of Japan board
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has nominated economist Seiji Adachi, a known reflationist, to the Bank of Japan's Policy Board amid growing attention over Abe's stance on monetary easing. Adachi, head of economic research at Marusan Securities, was tapped to replace Yutaka Harada, who likewise has ...
Business / Economy Dec 27, 2019
Deepening negative rates would do more harm than good, says Bank of Japan ex-deputy
by Leika Kihara and Yoshifumi Takemoto
The Bank of Japan has nearly exhausted its policy ammunition for boosting the economy, as deepening negative interest rates — seen as the most likely step if it were to expand stimulus — will do more harm than good, former BOJ Deputy Gov. Toshiro ...
Business Dec 26, 2019
Daiwa to expand REIT business as low rates persist
by Takashi Nakamichi and Takako Taniguchi
Daiwa Securities Group Inc. is expanding its real estate investment trust business as low interest rates continue to drive investors into domestic property funds. Japan's second-biggest brokerage is preparing to start a new private-placement REIT and considering having existing trusts issue new shares to raise ...
Business Dec 24, 2019
Bank of Japan debated monetary and fiscal policy mix as risks from ultralow rates grow
A few Bank of Japan board members said the central bank must work carefully with the government in dealing with the next economic downturn, minutes of the BOJ's October rate review showed Tuesday. The nine-member board also debated the demerits of prolonged monetary easing, with ...