Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Japan’s negative interest rate brings ‘bad news’ to world’s central bankers

The Bank of Japan’s (BOJ) decision in January to take interest rates negative has sent bond yields tumbling, while doing little to curb a surging yen that’s squeezing the world’s third-biggest economy just when it needs a weaker currency. That’s put even more monetary and fiscal stimulus on the agenda at a time when Japanese households and companies are increasingly doubting the program.


If policy makers around the globe fail to gain traction soon with their actions, that risks a relapse into too-low inflation and even weaker growth, possibly roiling financial markets and increasing the threat that Japan-style stagnation spreads to more advanced economies.


BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda’s freedom to double down on stimulus to stoke inflation and growth may be limited by G-20 agreements to avoid the competitive devaluation of currencies. He’s also up against critics in the investment community who argue that the central bank is harming the debt market and is on the cusp of running out of bonds to buy. The 71-year-old governor maintains that all options are on the table, including a deeper cut to the negative rate, and increased purchases of assets ranging from Japanese government bonds to exchange-traded funds and real estate investment trusts.

Link:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-business/asian-pacific-business/japans-negative-interest-rate-brings-bad-news-to-worlds-central-bankers/article29580535/

2 comments:

  1. This article is interesting because if a policy to stabilize prices and growth in Japan doesn't work then other countries in a similar situation should be mindful of Japans' situation and think about putting measures such as stimulating more investment, creating more jobs, and slightly raising inflation into play.

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  2. My question is what will happen if, as to continue quoting the article; "He’s also up against critics in the investment community who argue that the central bank is harming the debt market and is on the cusp of running out of bonds to buy." this meeting doesn't go as planned and economic sanctions are taken upon an already struggling economy. The smartest move would be to prevent additional bonds from being bought, which could perpetuate this cycle. Though if all bonds are bought, what then would happen to these rates?

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