News | Latest Breaking News Stories & Headlines

Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda steps down from the position today

Bank of Japan leaves policy unchanged as Kuroda retires

Japan's central bank left its ultra-easy monetary policy unchanged in its last meeting before Governor Haruhiko Kuroda steps down and is replaced by economics professor Kazuo Ueda.

Business • 10 Mar 23

Japan's GDP expanded by an annualised 0.1% in the three months from October to December, new figures show today

Japan's economy barely grew in last quarter of 2022

Japan's economy narrowly averted a recession in the final months of 2022, barely growing on frail consumption after shrinking in the third quarter, revised data showed, underscoring the challenge for policymakers trying to shore up a wobbly recovery.

Business • 09 Mar 23

Ueda said the recent acceleration in inflation is driven largely by rising raw import costs, rather than strong demand

Incoming BOJ chief says low rates remain appropriate

Incoming Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda has said the central bank must maintain ultra-low interest rates to support the fragile economy, warning of the dangers of responding to cost-driven inflation with monetary tightening.

Business • 24 Feb 23

Ueda, a 71-year-old former Bank of Japan (BOJ) policy board member, will succeed incumbent Haruhiko Kuroda

Japan names academic Ueda as next central bank governor

Japan's government named academic Kazuo Ueda as its pick to become next central bank governor, a surprise choice that could heighten the chance of an end to its unpopular yield control policy.

Business • 14 Feb 23

the Bank of Japan has been in no rush to change its super-loose policy stance

Japan set to appoint Ueda as next BoJ governor

Japan's government is likely to appoint academic Kazuo Ueda, a former member of the Bank of Japan's policy board, as the bank's next governor, two government officials told Reuters.

Business • 10 Feb 23

Japan cuts economic view as exports to Asia weaken

Japan cut its view on the overall economy for the first time in 11 months in January, as China's Covid-19 infections and a slowdown in global demand for tech and semiconductors hurt exports, especially to Asia.

Business • 25 Jan 23

Bank of Japan defies market bets for policy tweaks

The Bank of Japan has today maintained ultra-low interest rates, defying market expectations it would phase out its massive stimulus programme in the wake of rising inflationary pressure.

Business • 18 Jan 23

The increase was the fastest pace in four decades

Consumer inflation in Japan's capital exceeds target

Core consumer prices in Japan's capital, a leading indicator of nationwide trends, rose a faster-than-expected 4.0% in December from a year earlier, exceeding the central bank's 2% target for a seventh straight month in a sign of broadening inflationary pressure.

Business • 10 Jan 23

Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda's term ends next spring

Japan central bank tweaks monetary policy

Japan's central bank tweaked its longstanding monetary easing programme today, in a surprise move that saw the yen strengthen quickly against the dollar while Tokyo stock markets fell.

Business • 20 Dec 22

Bank of Japan said the 1.1% year-on-year rise in the weighted median inflation was the fastest pace on record

Bank of Japan's price gauge hits record high

Japan's weighted median inflation rate, which is closely watched as an indicator on whether price rises are broadening, hit a record 1.1% in October in a sign of heightening inflationary pressure from rising raw material and labour costs.

Business • 22 Nov 22

Japan's inflation was up 3.6% on a year earlier, exceeding the 3.5% rise expected by economists and the 3% gain seen in September

Japan's inflation hits a 40-year high

Japan's core consumer inflation accelerated to a 40-year high in October, driven by currency weakness and imported cost pressures that the central bank shrugs off as it sticks to a policy of ultra-low interest rates.

Business • 18 Nov 22

Japan's inflation rate saw the fastest pace of increase since September 2014

Japan's inflation rate hits eight year high of 3%

Japan's core consumer inflation rate accelerated to a fresh eight-year high of 3% in September, challenging the central bank's resolve to retain its ultra-easy policy stance as the yen's slump to 32-year lows continue to push up import costs.

Business • 21 Oct 22

As expected, the Bank of Japan kept unchanged its -0.1% target for short-term interest rates, and 0% for the 10-year government bond yield

Japan intervenes in currency market to stem yen falls

Japan intervened in the currency market today for the first time since 1998 to shore up the battered yen, in the wake of the central bank's decision to maintain ultra-low interest rates that have been driving down the currency.

Business • 22 Sep 22

The Bank of Japan said it would 'pay due attention' to forex markets as the yen struggles at a 24-year low

Bank of Japan keeps easing despite global rate hikes

The Bank of Japan today stuck to its monetary easing policy even as other central banks raise interest rates to tame inflation.

Business • 17 Jun 22

Japan is the world's third biggest economy

Japan's economy rebounds on solid spending

Japan's economy rebounded in the final three months of 2021 as falling coronavirus cases helped prop up consumption, though rising raw material costs and a spike in new Omicron variant infections cloud the outlook.

Business • 15 Feb 22

The Bank of Japan left unchanged a -0.1% target for short-term interest rates and a pledge to guide long-term rates around 0%

Bank of Japan raises price outlook

The Bank of Japan upgraded its inflation forecasts today and flagged heightening chances the recent commodity-driven price hikes will broaden, the latest sign of its conviction Japan is emerging sustainably out of deflation.

Business • 18 Jan 22

The Bank of Japan has maintained its short-term rate target at -0.1% and that for 10-year bond yields around 0%

Bank of Japan scales back pandemic funding

The Bank of Japan has today dialed back emergency pandemic-funding but maintained ultra-loose policy and extended financial relief for small firms, cementing expectations it will remain among the most dovish central banks for the foreseeable future.

Business • 17 Dec 21

Global supply disruptions hit exports and business spending plans and new Covid cases soured Japanese consumers' mood

Japan's economy shrinks more than expected in Q3

Japan's economy contracted much faster than expected in the third quarter as global supply disruptions hit exports and business spending plans and fresh Covid-19 cases soured the consumer mood.

Business • 15 Nov 21

Japan's central bank has predicted growth of 3.4% for the year to March 2022, down from its previous forecast of 3.8%

Bank of Japan lowers annual growth estimate

The Bank of Japan has today revised down its annual growth forecast and maintained its ultra-loose monetary policy as the pandemic continues to weigh on the world's third-largest economy.

Business • 28 Oct 21

As expected, the Bank of Japan maintained its short-term interest rate target at -0.1%

Bank of Japan offers bleaker view on exports

The Bank of Japan kept monetary policy steady today but offered a bleaker view on exports and output, reinforcing expectations the bank will maintain its massive stimulus even as major counterparts eye a withdrawal of crisis-mode support.

Business • 22 Sep 21

The BOJ also released an outline of its new scheme aimed at boosting funding for activities combating climate change

BOJ cuts growth forecast, unveils climate scheme plan

The Bank of Japan has cut this fiscal year's growth forecast but maintained its view the economy was headed for a moderate recovery, a sign monetary policy will be in a holding pattern for some time.

Business • 16 Jul 21

New figures show that Japan's consumer prices rose slightly in May for the first time in 14 months

Bank of Japan announces first green investment fund

Japan's central bank has today announced its first investment fund for efforts to address climate change, as the government works towards its new target of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050.

Business • 18 Jun 21

Japan, the world's third-largest economy, is expected to expand by an annualised 0.5% in the second quarter of 2021

Japan to avoid recession, but Q2 growth forecasts cut

Japan's economy likely grew and avoided slipping into recession this quarter but an extension of emergency measures to stem a rise in coronavirus infections has dented the growth outlook, a Reuters poll showed.

Business • 15 Jun 21

The Bank of Japan has warned of 'high uncertainty' on how much the Covid pandemic could drag on growth

BoJ signals prolonged easing on Covid pressure

Japan's central bank has today maintained its massive stimulus and projected inflation missing its 2% target for years to come, as fresh curbs to combat a spike in Covid-19 cases overshadow the boost to growth from solid global demand.

Business • 27 Apr 21

BoJ's Kuroda offers cautiously upbeat view on growth

Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda has today offered a cautiously optimistic view of the economy, saying that global and Japanese growth are picking up from the damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic thanks to aggressive stimulus measures.

Business • 30 Mar 21