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Sumio Ito
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 22, 2023
BOJ likely to raise interest rates gradually, former board member says
Makoto Sakurai, who has known Bank of Japan governor nominee Kazuo Ueda for decades, sees little chance of a big policy shift at Ueda’s first policy meeting.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 9, 2023
LDP said to be divided if Kishida seeks BOJ pivot
With the nomination of a new governor likely to come next week, several party members said there will be opposition within the party if Kishida chooses Hirohide Yamaguchi.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 25, 2023
New BOJ governor likely to move away from special stimulus, ex-official says
The official said Japan is on track to break away from an entrenched deflationary mindset as it moves away from being an economy of zero inflation.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 20, 2022
Kuroda shocks markets by raising BOJ cap on 10-year bond yields, driving up yen
The bank will now allow yields to rise to around 0.5%, up from the previous upper limit of 0.25% on their range of movement, according to a policy statement.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 2, 2022
BOJ board member calls for policy review at the right time
Naoki Tamura has said it's hard to define the 'right time' mechanically, or decide what would make it necessary because it depends on inflation, wages and the economy.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 26, 2022
Japan expected to keep last central bank negative interest rate
Explaining the refusal to shift gears is getting harder and such doggedness risks triggering a fresh downward spiral for the embattled yen.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 7, 2022
Failure to hit price goal may trigger BOJ shift, former director says
Ex-BOJ executive thinks there is a considerable chance that in a year or so the BOJ's topic of discussion will shift to when the price target can really be achieved.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Sep 27, 2022
BOJ chief Haruhiko Kuroda backs intervention while stressing need for easing
The government's action last week came almost directly after the BOJ's ultralow rates stance fueled further yen weakening, triggering doubt over the authorities' unified stance.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 13, 2022
BOJ could normalize policy in mid-2023, ex-board member says
Views on Japan's inflation dynamics are shifting among some experts after more than a decade of deflation and price weakness.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 6, 2022
BOJ should look at exit steps while holding policy, former official says
'This isn't the time for a drastic rate hike, so there is a limit on what the BOJ can do now,” Yuri Okina has said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Aug 4, 2022
Mr. JGB says markets need to prepare for BOJ buying fewer bonds
The Ministry of Finance has started looking into ensuring there's sufficient liquidity in the market, said Michio Saito, who heads the department that oversees debt issuance.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 19, 2022
Bank of Japan chief determined to maintain stimulus as world tightens
Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda is in no mood to give up on stimulus and his ultraloose monetary policy, according to people familiar with the matter.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 7, 2022
BOJ likely to consider revising inflation and growth forecasts, sources suggest
The new economic projections will be released together with the bank's policy decision at the end of the meeting.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 9, 2022
BOJ’s rock-bottom rates are crucial for Kishida’s spending plans
The prime minister has signed off on changes to an annual fiscal policy plan that loosen rather than tighten the corset constraining the nation's spending plans.
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 / 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 / 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
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.

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