The BoJ maintained its pledge of increasing base money, or cash and deposits at the central bank, at an annual pace of 60-70 trillion yen (US$547-US$638bil) via purchases of government bonds and risky assets, but is non-committal about expanding the stimulus - AFP Photo.
TOKYO: Bank of Japan governor Haruhiko Kuroda said he told premier Shinzo Abe that the central bank will continue its ultra-easy monetary policy in a meeting held on Wednesday.
"I told the prime minister that Japan's economy is steadily recovering and will continue to grow above its potential," Kuroda told reporters after the meeting.
"Under these conditions, prices will rise. But inflation is still far from our (2%) target. I told the prime minister that we will continue with our monetary easing programme," he said.
In his first such meeting since January, Kuroda said he did not receive any particular request from Abe on monetary policy.
Asked whether they talked about the chance of his reappointment when his current five-year term ends in April next year, Kuroda said it was not his place to discuss such issues.
The meeting is a regular one, usually held over lunch once every few months, to exchange views on the global and Japanese economies.
The BoJ has kept monetary policy steady since revamping its policy framework in September last year to one better suited for a long-term battle against deflation.
With the economy recovering steadily, many analysts expect the BoJ's next move to be a reduction of monetary stimulus rather than an expansion. - Reuters
Win a prize this Mother's Day by subscribing to our annual plan now! T&C applies.
