Early Friday the Nikkei wrote that "Bank of.....>

BOJ: Early Friday the Nikkei wrote that "Bank of Japan policymakers will weigh

downgrading their inflation outlook at their meeting later this month to reflect

lower crude oil prices, cuts in mobile phone fees and an expansion of free

schooling. The Japanese central bank remains committed to its current monetary

easing policy, but will take into account uncertainties in the global economy

and financial markets during the two-day meeting ending Jan. 23, when the BOJ

releases its latest semi-annual Outlook for Economic Activity and Prices report.

The BOJ is considering lowering its fiscal 2019 forecast for consumer price

growth to around 1% from last October's projection of 1.4%. Policymakers are

also looking at a minor downward revision to the fiscal 2020 forecast of 1.5%."