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Toru Fujioka
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 28, 2022
Yen slides past ¥130 to the dollar after BOJ doubles down on bond buying
The Bank of Japan's decision had been widely expected among economists, despite ongoing speculation the bank might take action in light of a recent slide in the yen rate to a two-decade low.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 20, 2022
BOJ further boosts bond buying as yields advance to policy limit
The move capped Japan's benchmark 10-year yield at the 0.25% upper limit of the BOJ's tolerated trading band while U.S. Treasurys hovered just below 3%.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 19, 2022
Japan to model digital yen tests on Sweden’s approach, not China’s
The Bank of Japan will explore the design issues of a central bank digital currency in measured steps like Sweden rather than pressing ahead with large-scale pilot tests like China.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Apr 18, 2022
BOJ’s Kuroda steps up yen warning to stave off stimulus doubts
Kuroda is facing a balancing act as he tries to stick with his commitment to keep stimulating a fragile economy without adding momentum to the weakening trend.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 15, 2022
Bank of Japan poised to predict strongest inflation in 30 years
With global central banks accelerating interest rate hikes to tackle inflation, Haruhiko Kuroda will have the task of explaining why he is insisting on staying wedded to stimulus.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 8, 2022
BOJ is likely to adjust policy as soon as July, ex-official says
The view sharply contrasts with the stated position of Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda, who has repeatedly said he will stick with stimulus.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 5, 2022
BOJ’s Kuroda characterizes yen moves as somewhat rapid
Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda said recent movements in Japan's currency have been on the rapid side, in his clearest warning signal yet.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 3, 2022
How the Bank of Japan took on the bond vigilantes and won — for now
Japan was the epicenter of market drama after the central bank set in motion a four-day buying spree of government bonds last week to stave off a global debt rout.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 25, 2022
Tokyo inflation hits fastest clip in two years on energy
Consumer prices excluding fresh food climbed 0.8% in the capital in March from a year earlier, fueled by higher electricity bills and more expensive natural gas.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 18, 2022
BOJ maintains easing stance, highlighting policy divergence
The bank left its interest rates and asset purchases unchanged, according to a statement Friday, as predicted by all economists in a survey.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 16, 2022
Weaker yen likely to prompt BOJ message shift, ex-official says
'The yen has already moved a lot compared with last year, so a further weakening means volatility has generally been high,' says Kazuo Momma.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 15, 2022
Bank of Japan chief risks hitting inflation goal in a way he doesn’t want
Economists are predicting core consumer prices will rise at a pace of 2% or more this year as surging energy prices, a weakening yen and stabilizing phone charges feed inflation.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 9, 2022
Japan’s economy needs more spending aid, Abenomics advocate says
The call for more stimulus by Etsuro Honda comes barely three months after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida unveiled a bigger-than-expected u00a556 trillion package to support the economy.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 25, 2022
Faster Tokyo price gains to keep BOJ speculation smoldering
Excluding fresh food, consumer prices in the capital increased 0.5% from a year earlier as utility bills soared, the internal affairs ministry said Friday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 24, 2022
Bank of America analysts see BOJ ending negative rates with October hike
The report is likely to fuel speculation over possible BOJ policy normalization even though Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda has repeatedly rejected the idea, given ongoing weakness in inflation.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 18, 2022
Japan’s slower inflation offers BOJ support for stimulus stance
Growth in consumer prices excluding fresh food slowed to 0.2% in January from a year earlier, compared with 0.5% the previous month, the internal affairs ministry said Friday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Feb 14, 2022
BOJ intervenes to cap Japanese yields just as havens find favor
The Bank of Japan offered to buy an unlimited amount of five to 10-year bonds at fixed rates in a bid to cap the recent rise in yields.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 9, 2022
Persuading markets the BOJ won't pivot is getting harder for its governor
Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda remains the last staunch dove at the world's biggest central banks outside of China as inflation gathers pace.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 2, 2022
Japanese economy at risk of shrinking again due to omicron
Many Tokyo-based economists are among those warning that the omicron wave could trigger yet another quarter of negative growth for the world's third-largest economy.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 31, 2022
Ex-official warns BOJ against using digital yen to juice policy
Hiromi Yamaoka said that while it's clear Japan's payment systems need to change, he is totally against the idea of the central bank using a digital yen to gain extra policy leverage.

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