BoJ Deputy Governor Masazumi Wakatabe warned of the “heightening uncertainties” regarding the spread of China’s coronavirus on the global economy. BoJ should scrutinize the impact of the outbreak on its economic forecasts. For now, downside risks remain. He reiterated the usual pledge that the central bank ” won’t hesitate to take additional easing steps if momentum for hitting price goal is lost.”
In Japan’s port of Yokohama, a cruise liner with 3700 passengers was quarantined yesterday. Health screened started after a Hong Kong passenger was tested positive for the coronavirus. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said authorities would decide whether to let people leave the ship after all tests are completed.
