Free Trial

MNI: BOJ Kuroda: Too Early To See 2% CPI, Debate Specific Exit

--Kuroda: Limited Impact of Volatile Financial Markets on Real Econ 
     TOKYO (MNI) - Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda on Friday repeated his
recent remarks that the central bank is "not at a stage to consider the
specifics of an exit" from large-scale monetary easing because "there is still
some distance" toward the bank's 2% inflation target.
     Kuroda also told a news conference after the bank's two-day policy meeting
that the impact of the recent volatile moves in the stock and currency markets
on the real economy is "limited" as the fundamentals in Japan and other major
economies are sound.
     It was his last regular briefing as the BOJ chief before his current term
ends on April 8. Pending parliamentary approval, Kuroda will serve his second
five-year term after the aggressive easing he launched in April 2013 has failed
to boost inflation to a stable 2%, hit by a plunge in crude oil prices and the
stubborn deflationary mindset held by Japanese firms and households. 
     --EASING SIDE EFFECTS
     The governor made balanced comments, noting very low long-term interest
rates are hurting returns on fixed-income investments for pension funds.
     Changes in short- to medium-term interest rates (usually yields on three-
to five-year zones) affect bank lending and corporate bond issuance while those
in super long-term interest rates (yields on 20- to 40-year bonds) do not have a
direct impact on lending, he said.
     Citing the bank's monetary policy statement, Kuroda reserved the option to
boost monetary easing if necessary to achieve the 2% inflation target.
     --COMMITTED TO 2%
     "But at this point, we are not considering conducting additional easing at
all," he said, noting a rise in inflation expectations should increase the
stimulative effects of monetary easing and help the bank achieve the target.
     He sought to reassure the BOJ will continue supporting growth and inflation
under its inflation-overshooting commitment, saying, "We won't reduce the degree
of easing as we get close to achieving the 2% price stability target."
     --NO TARGET CHANGE
     On Friday, the Bank of Japan board decided in an 8-to-1 vote to maintain
its monetary easing stance under the yield curve control framework it adopted in
September 2016. No change in monetary policy was widely expected as the BOJ
believes large monetary stimulus is still needed to guide low inflation around
1% toward its 2% target.
     The BOJ repeated it would make policy adjustments as appropriate, "taking
account of developments in economic activity and prices as well as financial
conditions, with a view to maintaining the momentum toward achieving the price
stability target."
     The BOJ is set to keep the shape of the nearly flat bond yield curve (-0.1%
overnight and around 0% in the 10-year zone) for some time to come because the
increase in consumer prices remains slow amid the sustained, moderate economic
recovery.
--MNI Tokyo Bureau; tel: +81 90-4670-5309; email: max.sato@marketnews.com
[TOPICS: MAJDS$,MMJBJ$,M$A$$$,M$J$$$,MT$$$$]

To read the full story

Close

Why MNI

MNI is the leading provider

of intelligence and analysis on the Global Fixed Income, Foreign Exchange and Energy markets. We use an innovative combination of real-time analysis, deep fundamental research and journalism to provide unique and actionable insights for traders and investors. Our "All signal, no noise" approach drives an intelligence service that is succinct and timely, which is highly regarded by our time constrained client base.

Our Head Office is in London with offices in Chicago, Washington and Beijing, as well as an on the ground presence in other major financial centres across the world.