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Toru Fujioka
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda has repeatedly pushed back against the idea that a major pivot on policy is looming by emphasizing his doubts about the sustainability of price rises.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 25, 2023
BOJ set to stick with easing as markets see clock ticking on yield control
Since taking the helm in April, Gov. Kazuo Ueda has repeatedly pushed back against the idea that a major pivot on policy is looming.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 19, 2023
Tokyo traders await June inflation data ahead of BOJ policy meeting
Consumer prices excluding fresh food and energy costs have seen price gains hovering close to a high of more than four decades.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 14, 2023
BOJ to tweak yield control this month, ex-official says
Hideo Hayakawa, who is also a former BOJ chief economist, said that the central bank must raise its inflation outlook for this fiscal year to match reality.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 13, 2023
Market reflects rising speculation over BOJ policy tweak ahead of July meeting
At least some market players think the BOJ may choose to reshape its policy of holding down 10-year yields, to help boost an economy already showing signs of improved price and wage trends.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 30, 2023
Tokyo inflation speeds up again as Japan production sputters
Consumer prices excluding fresh food increased 3.2% in the capital from a year earlier, rising at a slightly faster pace than last month’s revised figures.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 29, 2023
BOJ chief says confidence in 2024 price gains could bring a policy shift
Ueda has repeatedly stressed the high cost of premature tightening as green shoots finally emerge to generate sustainable inflation.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 28, 2023
Weak yen now the key to stronger currency and BOJ pivot later
An extended period of weakness could counterintuitively lay the ground for long-run strength should it help the BOJ boost growth and finally pivot from supereasy monetary policy.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 27, 2023
Official behind last year’s ¥9.33 trillion yen intervention strategy reappointed
Masato Kanda has become just the fourth official in the past three decades to serve a third year as vice finance minister for international affairs, Finance Ministry documents show.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 14, 2023
Goldman bumps up Japan price forecasts to widen gap with BOJ
Goldman cited a weaker yen and oil prices as major reasons for its revision.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 12, 2023
BOJ’s Ueda likely to hold with bond market on his side for now
Gov. Kazuo Ueda has repeatedly signaled his intention to take time before making any major changes to the central bank’s stimulus.
BUSINESS
Jun 11, 2023
BOJ is said to see little need to tweak yield controls for now
The officials say inflation is running stronger than expected, a factor that raises the chance of the BOJ upgrading its inflation forecast in a quarterly economic outlook report in July.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Jun 5, 2023
Rapid return of tourists to Japan helping fuel inflation for BOJ
Almost 2 million visitors arrived from overseas in April, compared with less than 140,000 a year earlier, according to Japan’s National Tourism Organization.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 31, 2023
BOJ to hold policy amid election chatter, ex-board member says
The BOJ will refrain from changing its 'yield curve control' program while speculation continues to swirl that the prime minister will call a snap election, according to an ex-board member.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 26, 2023
BOJ’s Ueda says wages aren’t the goal as he keeps speculators in dark
The remarks leave room for the bank to be nimble about how and when it will be convinced about the prospect of price gains.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 19, 2023
Bank of Japan chief warns against premature policy change even after price jump
Ueda’s reassurance that the central bank will continue with easing contrasts with lingering speculation over policy adjustment among BOJ watchers.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 19, 2023
Japan’s inflation quickens again, putting pressure on BOJ view
Economists see resilient consumption sustaining the country’s recovery for the foreseeable future.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 18, 2023
Imports fall for first time in two years, easing impact as export growth slows
The trend cushions the hit of a global economic slowdown weighing on exports, reflecting a fall in prices for commodities including crude oil and liquid natural gas.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 11, 2023
BOJ adjusts English translation under Gov. Kazuo Ueda, hinting at new policy era
The bank has adopted a new word in English to describe its stance of continuing with large-scale monetary easing, while the original Japanese word remains unchanged.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 26, 2023
Ueda looks to avoid fireworks at first BOJ meeting as chief
Ueda and his fellow board members are forecast to keep interest rate and asset purchase settings unchanged at the end of the two-day meeting Friday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 20, 2023
Most BOJ watchers expect Ueda to hold policy at first meeting
Almost 40% of economists see June as the most likely time for a policy change, largely in line with the previous survey last month.

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