MNI BRIEF: BOJ Kuroda Keeps Optimistic View on Economy

Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda maintained his optimistic view on the outlook for Japan's economy but reiterated that the bank will not hesitate to ease further, if necessary, as it monitors the impact of covid-19 developments.

Speaking at the bank managers' meeting Thursday, Kuroda also said the bank expects short- and long-term policy interest rates to remain at current or lower levels.

Japan's economy has picked up and is likely to follow an improving trend but at a moderate pace while Covid-19 continues to cast a shadow. Financial conditions have been mostly accommodative but those for corporate financing have been less so, as seen in the weakness in firms' financial positions. The BOJ board will review the medium-term outlook for economic growth and the inflation rate at the two-day policy meeting starting on Apr. 26.