MNI BRIEF: Inflation Policy Comms A Risk-BOJ March Minutes

One Bank of Japan board member voiced concern gaining wide pubic understanding of inflation policy if basic costs for food and energy keep rising, the March 17-18 meeting minutes released on Monday showed.

“In assessing the underlying trend in prices, it was important to exclude those items for which prices tend to be subject to fluctuations, such as fresh food and energy; however, providing an explanation to the public of its assessment of price developments and its monetary policy stance, relying solely on figures that excluded fresh food and energy -- items directly affecting people's daily lives -- carried the risk that the Bank would face difficulties in gaining wide public understanding,” one member said, See: MNI BRIEF:BOJ Minutes: Finer Communication Need On Easy Policy.