Japan's leading index, which is designed to measure the economy's direction in months ahead, fell more than expected in September, according to the Cabinet Office. The index decreased from 93.2 in August to 91.6, while initial projection was 91.7. The coincident index that evaluates the current economic activity declined to 91.5 from 93.5 a month earlier.
"The bank is concerned that continued massive bond purchases will lead to a worsening of the nation's fiscal position,"said Nobuo Inaba, a former central bank official. "The bank could strengthen its easing and increase the impact of its policies."