- Haruhiko Kuroda, BoJ Governor
Kuroda continues to persuade investors and economists that the world's third largest economy is on the right track, as massive stimulus programme is exerting its intended impact. This time, the Governor added he sees no changed in Japan's consumer price trend after April's consumption tax hike, bolstering the case the central bank is confident in reaching 2% inflation target next year.
At the time being, Kuroda mentioned that policymakers are evaluating both upside and downside risks for the recovery, and will not hesitate to make adjustments to the monetary policy to meet its targets. However, he refused shedding light on potential tools that can be used to combat downside risks. As for inflation, the Governor repeated his earlier expressed comments that annual rise in core measure of consumer prices will most likely accelerate in October, or slightly later. The inflation rate is forecasted to hit the 2% target around the middle of the official target from this fiscal year to fiscal 2016. While Kuroda has been confident about inflation about inflation since he was appointed as the Governor, and there were no changes in sentiment following April 1, when the government raise the consumption tax to 8%. Nonetheless, some analysts believe fresh action will come around October, when the central bank will release its semi-annual medium-term outlook for growth and inflation.
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