Economy Jun 10, 2021
BOJ to extend COVID-19 aid as virus fight drags on, survey shows
Some 89% of 44 economists surveyed see the bank keeping in place its negative interest rate and asset purchase settings.
Business / Economy May 11, 2021
BOJ member saw need to expand easing for inflation goal, meeting summary shows
At the April 26-27 gathering, the BOJ projected that the central bank's 2% target will not be met before Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda's current term ends in April 2023.
Business / Economy Apr 27, 2021
Japan to miss key 2% inflation target again as policy coordination loosened
by Toru Fujioka and Sumio Ito
"It’s hugely symbolic that even Kuroda can’t hit the target after a decade,” said a chief economist and former Bank of Japan official.
Business / Economy Apr 22, 2021
Bank of Japan has hit normalization limit under Kuroda, ex-official says
"Unless the current leadership suddenly says it’s gotten policy wrong all this time, it’s pretty much done all it can,” says former executive director Hideo Hayakawa.
Business / Economy Apr 13, 2021
Ex-BOJ member sees no rate cuts without fresh crisis
by Toru Fujioka and Sumio Ito
Former board member Makoto Sakura's comments indicate the BOJ’s bar for lowering rates is as high as ever and that weak inflation alone won’t be enough to trigger such a move.
Business | FOCUS Apr 10, 2021
Haruhiko Kuroda becomes second-longest serving BOJ governor amid challenges
by Noriyuki Suzuki
With Kuroda's term set to end in April 2023, delivering on his promise of hitting a 2% inflation target may be much harder than setting a new record as the longest-serving chief.
Business / Economy Mar 14, 2021
BOJ said to be mulling release of analysis on future support for rate cuts
While no decisions have been made, offering a lending incentive and tweaking the reserve system are likely to be among the topics for discussion when the BOJ meets next week.
Business Feb 10, 2021
There is skepticism among market players that the BOJ will not be able to cut rates further into negative territory.
Business Nov 25, 2020
BOJ’s local bank aid makes rates harder to cut, ex-official says
by Toru Fujioka and Sumio Ito
To gain eligibility for the interest payments, regional banks must make decisions on merging or show they have improved their profitability.
Business / Corporate Nov 11, 2020
BOJ to promote regional bank mergers via special interest program
The central bank's move is widely seen as a measure to help regional lenders merge and survive amid slumping local economies hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
Business / Economy Sep 17, 2020
Bank of Japan takes less gloomy view but keeps things ultra-loose
The bank’s upgrade of its economic assessment was the first since the virus hit, reflecting a bottoming of Japan’s slump.
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.