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Sumio Ito
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.
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 / 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.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 6, 2022
Bank of Japan plans to discuss changing long-held view on price risks, sources say
The central bank meets on Jan. 17 and 18, with its quarterly report on prices and growth likely to be the focus of interest.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 8, 2021
BOJ likely to scale down COVID-19 aid, former executive says
The BOJ could extend some parts of the program beyond March, while scaling back other areas such as its corporate debt buying, says the former leader of the bank's pandemic crisis response.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 26, 2021
BOJ’s newest board member sees Japan inflation creeping up
Higher energy costs have helped Japan's key gauge of consumer prices edge up over the last two months for the first time in more than a year.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 18, 2021
Bank of Japan's extra goals help it play down inflation, ex-official says
The central bank will continue to diversify its goals so it can place less emphasis on achieving its price target, according to a former BOJ executive director.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 22, 2021
BOJ's Haruhiko Kuroda reaffirms policy mix need ahead of LDP leadership vote
The central bank decided to set short-term interest rates at minus 0.1% while guiding 10-year government bond yields around 0% to keep borrowing costs low for companies and households.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Sep 21, 2021
Haruhiko Kuroda's monetary experiment set to continue beyond BOJ tenure record
Reaching the landmark as longest-running governor will be testament to Kuroda's ability to keep political and market pressure at bay despite having failed to spark inflation.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Sep 1, 2021
Japan stimulus likely to continue whoever wins election, former BOJ exec says
'You would be risking a big market reaction by touching monetary policy,” said Kazuo Momma, former head of monetary policy at the central bank.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 18, 2021
Bank of Japan flags new step on climate and extends COVID-19 support program
The Bank of Japan surprised investors by joining other central banks with a measure to support climate change mitigation, while standing pat on its main policy levers.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 16, 2021
BOJ sees no need for extra bond-buying tweaks for now, sources say
The BOJ starts its two-day meeting Thursday, with a majority of economists expecting the bank to extend its special COVID-19 funding program to help struggling businesses.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 27, 2021
Japan to miss key 2% inflation target again as policy coordination loosened
'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.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 16, 2021
BOJ likely to discuss raising economic outlook, sources say
BOJ officials see a strong recovery in the United States and China as a driving force for Japan's export-reliant economy.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 13, 2021
Ex-BOJ member sees no rate cuts without fresh crisis
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.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Mar 19, 2021
BOJ carves out more policy flexibility after three-month review
The bank also said it would offer lending incentives if it lowered its target rates.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Mar 11, 2021
BOJ looking to foster more yield fluctuations in bond market
The range around the 10-year yield target is a key focus for markets as the central bank looks to enhance the sustainability of its monetary stimulus.

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