Japan's inflation edges up as households shut their wallets

The Bank of Japan's (BOJ) efforts to reach its 2 percent inflation target didn't get much of a boost from the latest data, with the country's core consumer price index for June barely budged and as households unexpectedly snapped their wallets shut.

BOJ to keep policy steady April 30 unless big CPI forecast cut-sources

TOKYO, April 22 (Reuters) - The Bank of Japan is expected to hold off on expanding monetary stimulus next week even though the bank is likely to slightly reduce its inflation forecast for this fiscal year, said sources familiar with its thinking.

Aso Warns on Speed of Yen Drop While Saying Rate Is Up to Market

Japan’s finance chief said the yen has been weakening too fast over the past week, the strongest statement yet by one of the nation’s top policy makers as the central bank’s expanded stimulus drives down the exchange rate.

Fed's Kocherlakota defends dissent, cites drop in inflation outlook

(Reuters) - The lone Federal Reserve policymaker to dissent against the U.S. central bank's decision this week to end its bond-buying stimulus said Friday that the Fed was risking its credibility by failing to take action against a worrisome drop in inflation.

BOJ to stick to optimistic economic view, debate weak exports

(Reuters) - The Bank of Japan is set to continue its massive asset purchases and retain its rosy view on the outlook on Friday despite a series of weak data, underscoring its conviction that the world's third biggest economy can withstand the pain from a tax hike without further stimulus.

Czech Manufacturing Expansion Underpins Economic Rebound

Czech manufacturing expanded the most in more than three years in May, signaling economic recovery is gaining strength on the back of orders from at home and abroad.

Japan government cuts economy view after sales tax; no need for fresh stimulus

(Reuters) - Japan's government slightly cut its overall view on the economy, its first downgrade in a year and a half, but officials shrugged off the need for more stimulus to support the economy.

BoJ will continue its monetary easing program - Kuroda

(Reuters) - Bank of Japan will continue to pursue its massive monetary easing program, with the Japanese economy only halfway to achieving its 2 percent inflation target, the central bank's governor said on Friday.

BOJ Urged to Set Easing Time-Limit to Quell Bond Volatility

The Bank of Japan should specify a two-year limit for its unprecedented monetary easing to help quell bond-market volatility, according to one of the central bank’s board members.

Japan's 'wall of money' proves elusive for global markets

Japanese investors are repatriating funds from around the world at an accelerating pace, dashing hopes that stimulus from the Bank of Japan will flood global asset markets with newly-printed money.

IMF trims global growth forecast, sees bumpy recovery

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday trimmed projections for global economic growth for this year and next to take into account sharp government spending cuts in the United States and the latest struggles of recession-stricken Europe.

ECB "ready to act" to help languishing economy

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - European Central Bank President Mario Draghi opened the door on Thursday to an interest rate cut as soon as next month, saying his bank stands "ready to act" to boost the recession-hit euro zone economy.

Analysis: New Bank of Japan chief faces credibility test after landing top job

(Reuters) - Japanese lawmakers paved the way on Friday for a new central bank governor whose plan to defeat deflation rests on the belief that pumping huge amounts of yen into the economy will convince the public to start spending now because prices will rise.

Japan PM Shinzo Abe ramps up pressure on central bank

TOKYO: Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ramped up pressure on the central bank Monday, signalling he may rein in the institution's independence if it fails to achieve an ambitious inflation target.

Why 2013 will be a year of low growth, low returns, lower risk

The upshot for investors may be a calmer year, but possibly one that is less lucrative. It could be quite a contrast from 2012, which featured plenty of drama, notably in the euro zone, but also decent returns courtesy of a 12.5 percent gain in the S&P500 stock index and a similar return from global shares.

Japan Data Show Recession Risk Growing

TOKYO—Data released by the government Friday showed that Japan's economy may be slowing more than expected and could possibly move into a recession.

Bank of Japan stands pat on rates, sees recovery

HONG KONG (MarketWatch) — The Bank of Japan said Thursday that the economy will chart a path of moderate recovery despite global economic uncertainty, while leaving its policy interest rate unchanged in the current range of 0% to 0.1% by a unanimous vote.

Economy picking up, exports better: Japan

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's government stuck to its assessment that the economy is slowly recovering on Thursday but raised its view on exports, saying overseas shipments are showing signs of stabilizing on a moderate pickup in the United States and some return in Asian demand.

Economic recovery looks more certain: Japan govt

TOKYO: Japan's government maintained its assessment that the economy is slowly picking up in a report on Wednesday but saw a brighter outlook than a month ago due to encouraging signs in the global economy.

BOJ's Miyao Highlights Risks for Japan Recovery

TOKYO—Bank of Japan policy board member Ryuzo Miyao said on Wednesday that the central bank will take action if necessary to stop downside risks from undermining the nation's economic recovery, bolstering the view that the BOJ may soon take further easing steps to counter the impact of the strong yen and slowing overseas demand.

"I hope the powerful recovery, mainly in production, will continue after the autumn, but there are several uneasy factors," which include the possibility of slower overseas demand, the yen's stubborn uptrend, potentially higher electricity costs and expectations for prolonged deflation, Mr. Miyao told business leaders in Hakodate, northern Japan.