MNI BRIEF: BOJ Should Discuss Extension of Facilities

A Bank of Japan board member believes the central bank should discuss an extension of the Special Program to Support Financing due to finish at the end of September, according to a summary of opinions from the April 26-27 board meeting released on Tuesday.

According to the summary, a different member said: "It is necessary for the BOJ to take advantage of a tailwind of the expected economic recovery and enhance monetary easing so as to achieve the (price) target."

Another member said: "In the medium to long run, it is necessary to consider, while closely cooperating with the government, how monetary and fiscal policies could be adjusted with a view to achieving stable economic growth."

One member voiced concern over the economic impact of public health measures, in place largely in four prefectures, and said the BOJ must pay attention to the downside risks of the health measures on economic activity and prices.