In the Semiannual Report on Currency and Monetary Control, BoJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said the “powerful monetary easing measures” will support economic and financial activities, together with the government’s coronavirus measures. He also reiterated the pledge to monitor the coronavirus impacts and BoJ “will not hesitate to take additional easing measures if necessary.”

He noted again that the economy has been in an “increasingly severe situation” and is “likely to remain the case”. But thereafter. the economy is “likely to improve” supported by accommodative financial conditions and government’s measures, as well as through the “expected materialization of pent-up demand and a projected recovery in production from the decline brought about by the spread of COVID-19.”

Still, outlook is “extremely unclear” depending on ” the timing of the spread of COVID-19 subsiding and on the magnitude of the impact on domestic and overseas economies”. Risks are “skewed to the downside.

Kuroda’s full statement here.

BoJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said today that the central could debate stimulus exit if policy makers see increasing chance of hitting the 2% inflation target. He noted that “when the possibility of achieving our price target heightens, conditions of an exit would fall into place. The BOJ’s policy board could then discuss conditions for an exit.”

However, he emphasized that “With achievement of our price target still distant, it will create market confusion if we explain specific means and timing of an exit (from the easy policy) now.” Also, he warned that “if there is strong uncertainty about future growth, firms will hesitate to raise wages.” He added that “even if firms’ wage- and price-setting stance becomes more proactive, inflation expectations may not rise smoothly.”

In his first press conference as new Bank of Japan Governor, Kazuo Ueda stated that the central bank will maintain its massive stimulus program, echoing the stance of the previous leadership. Ueda commented, “The BOJ’s current monetary easing is a very powerful one. We need to strive, as we have done so far, to appropriately grasp economic, price, and financial developments to see whether trend inflation will stably and sustainably achieve 2%.”

The governor acknowledged the side-effects of the BOJ’s negative rates, particularly on banks, but noted that banks seem to have sufficient buffers and financial intermediation is functioning. Ueda emphasized the necessity of maintaining negative rates, stating, “Given trend inflation has yet to hit 2%, it’s appropriate to maintain negative rates.”

Regarding Yield Curve Control (YCC), Ueda said, “When looking at current economic, price, and financial developments, it’s appropriate to maintain YCC for now.” He added that any major changes to YCC should be determined by evaluating the economic, price, and financial trends, while also weighing the benefits and costs of the policy.

Ueda noted some positive signs in inflation and wages, saying, “Trend inflation is rising somewhat. There’s also some positive signs in wages. There’s a good chance this will lead to stable, sustained achievement of higher, trend inflation.”