Bank of Japan now more likely to ease further, economists say

Should the Japanese currency strengthen to below 100 yen on the dollar - which would hurt the nation's vital exporters - that could also prompt the central bank to loosen policy further (A security guard walks past in front of the Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo, Japan January 23, 2019 - Reuters)

TOKYO: The chances the Bank of Japan eases further have increased, according to over half of economists polled by Reuters after the central bank last month committed to expanding stimulus if a global slowdown derails the economic recovery here.

Should the Japanese currency strengthen to below 100 yen on the dollar - which would hurt the nation's vital exporters - that could also prompt the central bank to loosen policy further, many analysts said. The yen firmed to a seven-month high this week.