Bank of Japan

The nominee for Bank of Japan governor, Kazuo Ueda, speaks during a hearing session at the lower house of the Diet in Tokyo on Feb. 24. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)
BOJ confirmation hearings

BOJ nominee Kazuo Ueda says 'appropriate' to continue easing

Governor nominee signals normalization once stable 2% inflation is in sight

24 February 2023
Reflationists rose to prominence at the Bank of Japan under late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. (Photo by Kaisuke Ohta)
Bank of Japan

As BOJ leadership change nears, reflationists leave center stage

Governor nominee Ueda seen as more attuned to easing's side effects

18 February 2023
The Bank of Japan has been working since 2021 on a proof of concept to see if the introduction of a digital yen is technologically possible. (Photo by Kento Awashima)
Economy

Digital yen pilot program to start in April, Bank of Japan says

Banks and payment service companies expected to take part in project

18 February 2023
Economics professor and longtime Bank of Japan policy board member Kazuo Ueda, left, is set to succeed Haruhiko Kuroda as BOJ chief in April. 
The Big Story

Kazuo Ueda: Next BOJ chief inherits world's toughest central bank job

'Nonideological' pragmatist tasked with unwinding controversial legacy of predecessor Kuroda

16 February 2023
Analysts anticipate a monetary policy course change by the Bank of Japan under Kazuo Ueda, who has been nominated as the next governor.
Bank of Japan

BOJ will scale down ultraloose policy this year: analyst survey

Economists mostly expect change to yield curb control or complete exit

16 February 2023
Kazuo Ueda has been nominated by the government as the Bank of Japan's next governor. (Nikkei montage/Kohtaro Igarashi/Akira Kodaka)
Bank of Japan

Japan nominates Kazuo Ueda as next BOJ governor

Opposition leader calls for review of central bank's ultra-loose policy

14 February 2023
Bank of Japan Deputy Gov. Masayoshi Amamiya, left, and economics professor and former Bank of Japan policy board member Kazuo Ueda, right.(Nikkei montage)
Bank of Japan

Why Japan picked Ueda as BOJ head instead of Amamiya

Deputy governor's beliefs led him to pass on job that was his for the taking

13 February 2023
Commuters in Tokyo's Marunouchi business district on Jan. 19: People have come to understand that deflation is not a root cause of Japan's low growth. (Photo by Yo Inoue)
Opinion

2% inflation should not be focus of Japan's economic agenda

Key is to prevent further decline in potential growth rate and seek higher level

13 February 2023
Financial markets will be waiting to see whether the Bank of Japan dials back monetary easing under a new leader. (Photo by Karina Noka)
Your Week in Asia

BOJ new governor, Singapore budget, Hong Kong population

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

12 February 2023
The Japanese government plans to appoint Kazuo Ueda, an economist and former member of the Bank of Japan policy board, as the BOJ's next governor. (Nikkei montage/Shihoko Nakaoka/Hideyuki Miura)
Bank of Japan

BOJ governor pick Ueda faces disentangling decade of ultraloose policy

Market dysfunction and tensions with traders mean rocky road ahead

11 February 2023
From left, Shinichi Uchida, Kazuo Ueda and Ryozo Himino are set to be nominated as the Bank of Japan's next leadership team. (Source photos by Nikkei) 
Bank of Japan

Kazuo Ueda: Academic with policy ideas tapped for BOJ governor

Veteran regulator Himino and policy architect Uchida eyed for deputy posts

11 February 2023
Throughout January, many investors speculated that the BOJ would move to shift away from its ultraloose monetary policy.
Bonds

Japan bond delivery failures highest since global financial crisis

BOJ purchases squeeze liquidity even as outstanding balance tops $7.6tn

11 February 2023
Kazuo Ueda, an economist and former member of the Bank of Japan's policy board.
Bank of Japan

Japan set to nominate Kazuo Ueda as next BOJ governor

Academic candidate says current ultra-easy policy is 'appropriate'

11 February 2023
Inflation and distortions in the bond market are seen pressuring the Bank of Japan to adjust its policy.
Bonds

Overseas investors continue Japan bond sales even as BOJ stands pat

Speculation for monetary policy shift continues to grow

10 February 2023
Bank of Japan Deputy Gov. Masayoshi Amamiya, left, has been the architect of many of the monetary policies adopted under BOJ Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda (Source photos by Yoichi Iwata and pool photo)
Comment

Bank of Japan's policy dilemma has echoes of Fed history

Potential candidate to lead BOJ has perspective on ending crisis role

7 February 2023
The Nikkei Stock Average finished higher Feb. 6 following the news that the Bank of Japan, pictured here in Tokyo, would not likely end its ultraloose monetary policy soon.
Bank of Japan

Yen weakens and stocks rise on expectations of Amamiya leading BOJ

Analysts see pick muting likelihood of early exit from easing

7 February 2023
Career central banker Masayoshi Amamiya has been the brain behind much of the Bank of Japan's monetary policy for two decades. (Photo by Yoichi Iwata)
Bank of Japan

Japan sounds out BOJ deputy Amamiya for central bank governor

Exclusive: Final discussions underway for nomination of Kuroda's successor

6 February 2023
The Bank of Japan's quantitative easing mosaic has grown more intricate under Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda. (Photo by Karina Noka)
Comment

Bank of Japan faces reckoning on three decades of policy puzzle

Assessing pros and cons of past moves key before monetary policy shift

6 February 2023
Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda on Feb. 3 explains to a lower house committee how unrealized losses on the central bank's holdings of government bonds have drastically increased.
Bank of Japan

BOJ's unrealized losses on JGB holdings grow to $68.4bn

Central bank's yield cap decision in December played significant role

3 February 2023
SMFG and Culture Convenience Club will join their popular V Point and T-Point rewards systems as the banking group seeks partnerships beyond traditional financial services.
Interview

Japan's SMFG looks outside traditional banking for growth: CEO

Overseas markets will be focus despite geopolitical risks, Jun Ohta says

1 February 2023
The currency market will weigh forthcoming Bank of Japan nominees' past statements on monetary policy.
Currencies

Yen jumps after panel calls for Bank of Japan course change

Market watches for signals from possible BOJ deputy governor candidate

31 January 2023
Mizuho Financial Group President and CEO Masahiro Kihara. (Photo by Keiichiro Sato)
Interview

Mizuho CEO sees end to BOJ's negative rates as 'entirely possible'

Kihara expects industry pivot to lending and fundraising support if yields return

28 January 2023
The IMF urged the Bank of Japan to improve its communication. (Nikkei montage/Getty Images/Reuters/Akira Kodaka)
Bank of Japan

IMF suggests BOJ allow more flexibility in long-term yields

Annual statement says policy change would help 'better manage inflation risks'

27 January 2023
BOJ Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda looks at his watch during a Jan. 21 news conference in Tokyo.
Bank of Japan

BOJ tries market's patience by stretching truth about easing

Kuroda's statements no longer taken at face value after December blindside

24 January 2023
Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda, who is due to retire in April after 10 years in the job. (Nikkei montage/Reuters/Satoko Kawasaki)
Market Spotlight

Bank of Japan's communication breakdown leaves investors in dark

Like the U.S. Federal Reserve, the BOJ has trouble making itself understood

23 January 2023