Japan central bank eyes quantitative easing-style balance sheet expansion

TOKYO: Ahead of a Bank of Japan leadership change, central bankers are considering the possibility of shifting policy closer to the quantitative easing campaign of the last decade, hoping it will give policy the kick demanded by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Instead of focusing on reducing interest rates - which many see as a policy of diminishing returns since they are already at rock bottom - the central bank would shift to expanding its balance sheet, said sources familiar with its thinking.