Japan 06 (Aug 17 - Sep 23)

[behappyalways]

Japan bans entry from all countries to block new strain's spread
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Coron ... n-s-spread

[behappyalways]

In Tokyo, iconic ‘cute’ kawaii cafe closes its doors as business hit by Covid-19 pandemic
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=n6HrQSthU0c

[winston]

In turning point for Kuroda, BOJ may phase out asset-buying goal

by Leika Kihara

The BOJ’s review has drawn the close attention of markets as global recovery hopes push up bond yields in many economies including in Japan, challenging the BOJ’s efforts to cap 10-year yields at zero under its yield curve control (YCC) policy.

That would mean watering down, or removing one of its two pledges on ETFs - to buy them at an annual pace of 6 trillion yen ($55 billion) and by up to 12 trillion yen.

Source: Reuters

https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/ ... uying-goal

[behappyalways]

Super Mario theme park opens in Japan’s Universal Studios
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znxb0k6XrIk

[winston]

BOJ governor Kuroda says no plan to stop buying ETFs or sell them

by Tetsushi Kajimoto

The central bank removed an explicit guidance to buy ETFs at an annual pace of roughly 6 trillion yen ($55.13 billion) in a review of its policy tools unveiled on Friday.

Instead of buying at a set pace, the BOJ said it would step in only when markets destabilise, with a spending ceiling of 12-trillion-yen that was set last year when the initial COVID-19 outbreak jolted stock prices.

Source: Reuters

https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/ ... -sell-them

[behappyalways]

Japanese lesbian couple overjoyed as landmark ruling paves way for same-sex marriage
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=skh6CFEdwak

[winston]

Days after review, market rout forces Bank of Japan to buy more ETFs

by Leika Kihara

BOJ buys Y70 bln in ETFs on Wed, up from Y50 bln on Mon

Move reflects BOJ's resolve to buy when markets are unstable

Gov Kuroda says no plan to unload ETFs, to keep buying as needed

Move underscores challenge of dialling back BOJ's huge purchases

Source: Yahoo Finance

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/1-days-r ... 33558.html

[winston]

Kuroda vows to keep up Bank of Japan's ETF purchases: Asahi

[TOKYO] Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said the central bank will continue to buy exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as needed with a close eye on market developments even after the coronavirus pandemic subsides, the Asahi newspaper reported on Tuesday.

As part of a review of its policy tools earlier this month, the central bank removed a pledge to buy ETFs at a set pace and decided to buy only when markets face turbulence to make its massive stimulus programme more sustainable.

In an interview with the Japanese daily, Mr Kuroda repeated that the BOJ had "absolutely no plan" to end its ETF buying altogether or unload its huge holdings.

"We will continue to buy ETFs flexibly and in a nimble fashion, so it's absolutely not the case that we are exiting ultra-loose monetary policy," Mr Kuroda was quoted as saying.

Japan's economy was improving thanks to solid exports, Mr Kuroda said, adding the BOJ will continue to support via ultra-loose policy corporate efforts to adjust to challenges in a post-pandemic world.

Mr Kuroda also called on financial institutions to take into account climate-related risks in extending loans and making investment, according to the Asahi.

"Financial institutions must recognise what risks their portfolios are exposed to" regarding climate change, Mr Kuroda was quoted as saying.

Source: REUTERS

[behappyalways]

In First Since 2016, Japanese Investors Panic After Stocks Tumble... And BOJ Refuses To Buy ETFs

by Tyler Durden

As part of its policy review, the BOJ on March 19 said it would buy ETFs as needed, scrapping the previously 6T yen annual target, but keeping its 12T yen upper limit on purchases.

Source: Zero Hedge

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/first ... s-buy-etfs

[winston]

UPDATE 1-BOJ will set guidelines when time comes to sell ETFs, says Kuroda

by Leika Kihara

* Premature to debate details on ending easy policy - Kuroda
* Guidelines will be set at BOJ's policy-setting meeting
* Selling ETFs to households could be 'among future options'

By Leika Kihara

TOKYO, April 23 (Reuters) - Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda shrugged off the chance of an early exit from ultra-loose monetary policy on Friday but said he will lay out guidelines when the time comes to unload the bank's huge risky asset holdings.

Kuroda said while it was premature to debate a departure from current settings, considerations on how to unload the BOJ's massive holdings of exchange-traded funds (ETF) will be spelt out when inflation approaches its 2% target.

For now, however, inflation remains distant from that goal.

"When Japan's inflation approaches our target, we will deliberate an exit strategy at our policy-setting meeting including details such as the timing and means for selling ETFs," Kuroda told parliament.

Kuroda made the remark in response to a question by an opposition lawmaker on what exit strategy the BOJ had in mind for its massive stimulus.

In selling ETFs, the BOJ will aim to do so at appropriate prices to avoid losses, while ensuring its sales do not destabilise financial markets, Kuroda said.

The BOJ took steps in March to make its ETF buying more flexible in response to growing criticism its huge purchases were distorting markets and loading up the central bank's balance sheet with too much risky assets.

Some academics and former policymakers have floated ideas for removing ETFs from the BOJ's balance sheet, such as selling them to households.

"It could be among future options," Kuroda said, when asked about the idea of the BOJ selling ETFs to households. "But we aren't discussing anything specific," he added.

Source: Reuters

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/1-boj-se ... 17833.html