BOJ weighs reducing bond buys as early as June meeting

The Bank of Japan is likely to discuss the reduction of bond purchases as early as its policy meeting next week, according to people familiar with the matter.

BOJ officials will probably consider whether the timing is appropriate to slow the pace of bond buying from the current roughly ¥6 trillion ($38.4 billion) per month and whether they need to provide more details on the outlook to improve predictability, according to the people. The bank will conclude its two-day policy meeting on June 14.

Given that the central bank has no intention of surprising bond market participants, any shift will only be gradual and in stages with round numbers, the people said. BOJ officials didn’t indicate a specific amount as the next buying level, the people said.