Japan’s Economy Shrank Last Quarter, Top Forecaster Says

The Japanese economy likely contracted last quarter, dragged down by weak consumer spending and a slump in exports, according to a top forecaster.

Kuroda Yen Warning Signals ‘Shock and Awe’ Phase May Be Over

Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda’s missive that there’s no reason for the yen to drop further, now that it’s “very” weak, raises a potential hurdle to the additional monetary easing that economists have been projecting.

Two Years Into the BOJ's Bold Bet: Here's What's Happening

Countless words have been written on the Bank of Japan's aggressive monetary policies under Governor Haruhiko Kuroda.

BOJ slightly more upbeat on economy, Kuroda sees no need for more easing

TOKYO (Reuters) - The Bank of Japan offered a slightly more upbeat view of the economy on Friday and its governor shrugged off the need for more monetary stimulus, dismissing market concerns that the recovery is too slow to accelerate inflation toward the bank's target.

Bank of Japan expands monetary stimulus measure

Japan's central bank has surprised markets by announcing an expansion of its monetary stimulus policy.

Inflation target timing not like 'train schedule' :BoJ deputy chief

[TOKYO] The Bank of Japan's deputy governor said Tuesday the timeline for reaching its inflation target "can't be like a train schedule", remarks that may fuel doubts about the ambitious goal of conquering years of deflation.

Japan’s 2-Year Yield Falls to Record 0.005% on Flight to Safety

Japan’s two-year notes climbed, pushing yields to a record low, as a decline in domestic equities reinforced speculation the Bank of Japan will maintain its unprecedented debt purchases to sustain growth.

BOJ's Kuroda says no gap in view with government on weak yen benefits

(Reuters) - Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said there was no gap in views between the government and the central bank that a weak yen was positive for the world's third-largest economy.

Japan Keeps Faith in Weaker Yen as Economy Struggles

Facing the prospect of the first growth-free fiscal year since the 2009 global recession, Japan’s policy makers are keeping faith that a weaker exchange rate will help the world’s third-largest economy.

BOJ's Kuroda, confident on inflation, urges government to raise tax again

(Reuters) - Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda urged the government to proceed with another sales tax hike to fix its finances and, despite acknowledging some weakness in the economy, remained confident the central bank would hit its inflation target.

Kuroda Loan Spigot Drowns Yield Curve as Banks Buy: Japan Credit

The Bank of Japan’s low-interest loan program has spurred buying of higher-yielding sovereign debt. How much it has fueled economic growth is up for debate.

Japan exports disappoint, risks hitting economy hard

(Reuters) - Japan's annual exports declined for the first time in 15 months in May as shipments to Asia and the United States fell, threatening to knock the economy hard at a time when domestic consumption is being crimped by a national sales tax increase.

Japanese central bank chief sticks his neck out, pressures PM Abe for action

(Reuters) - Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Haruhiko Kuroda has a simple message for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe: It's time to fire the 'third arrow' of reform or risk squandering the efforts of the past 18 months to revive the Japanese economy.

Bank of Japan holds fire on stimulus, says economy recovering

Tokyo (AFP) - The Bank of Japan on Friday held off expanding its stimulus programme and said the world's number three economy was recovering, despite fears a sales tax rise will dent growth.

Japan government ups capex view, economy recovering

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's government raised its view on capital spending for the first time in four months in May on the back of firms' positive earnings, showing the economy remains resilient despite some negative impact from a sales tax hike last month.

BOJ Inflation Confidence Seen Cutting Chance of Stimulus

The confidence Bank of Japan officials are demonstrating in achieving their inflation target is lowering the chances of additional monetary easing this year even as the economy weakens.

BOJ keeps upbeat view on regional Japan, sees limited tax hike impact

(Reuters) - The Bank of Japan maintained its upbeat view on most of the country's regional economies, adding to reassurances from its governor that the world's third-largest economy can ride out the pain from a sales tax hike without additional stimulus.

Japan firms doubt BOJ price targets, new stimulus seen

(Reuters) - Corporate Japan expects the consumer price index to be just 1.5 percent higher in a year from now, a Bank of Japan tankan survey found on Wednesday -- a sign of how difficult the central bank could find meeting its 2 percent inflation goal by the April 2015 target date.

BOJ's Kuroda: High chance BOJ to meet its inflation target

(Reuters) - Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said on Thursday there is a high chance that consumer prices will reach the central bank's 2 percent inflation target sometime from the end of fiscal 2014 to the beginning of fiscal 2015.

Japan February exports seen accelerating; trade gap to narrow

(Reuters) - Japan's export growth is forecast to have accelerated in February as shipments recovered from a Lunar New Year slowdown, which along with slower import growth is expected see the trade deficit narrow from record levels, a Reuters poll shows.