MNI BRIEF: BOJ's Kuroda Keeps Optimistic Economy, Price View

Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda on Monday maintained his optimistic view on the outlook for Japan's economy but repeated that the bank will take more easing if necessary without hesitation.

"Japan's economy has picked up as a trend," although it has remained in a severe situation, Kuroda said at the opening of the BOJ quarterly branch managers' meeting.

He said that the economy is likely to recover and it is projected to continue growing with a virtuous cycle from income to spending intensifying.

As for inflation rate, Kuroda said that core consumer price index is expected to be at around zero percent in the short run but it is likely to increase gradually.

Financial conditions have been accommodative on the whole, although weakness in firms' financial positions have been seen.