Japanese Monetary Policy

Japanese Monetary Policy
Author: Kenneth J. Singleton
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Total Pages: 208
Release: 2007-12-01
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0226760685

How has the Bank of Japan (BOJ) helped shape Japan's economic growth during the past two decades? This book comprehensively explores the relations between financial market liberalization and BOJ policies and examines the ways in which these policies promoted economic growth in the 1980s. The authors argue that the structure of Japan's financial markets, particularly restrictions on money-market transactions and the key role of commercial banks in financing corporate investments, allowed the BOJ to influence Japan's economic success. The first two chapters provide the most in-depth English-language discussion of the BOJ's operating procedures and policymaker's views about how BOJ actions affect the Japanese business cycle. Chapter three explores the impact of the BOJ's distinctive window guidance policy on corporate investment, while chapter four looks at how monetary policy affects the term structure of interest rates in Japan. The final two chapters examine the overall effect of monetary policy on real aggregate economic activity. This volume will prove invaluable not only to economists interested in the technical operating procedures of the BOJ, but also to those interested in the Japanese economy and in the operation and outcome of monetary reform in general.

Princes of the Yen

Princes of the Yen
Author: Richard Werner
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 384
Release: 2015-03-04
Genre: Education
ISBN: 131746219X

This eye-opening book offers a disturbing new look at Japan's post-war economy and the key factors that shaped it. It gives special emphasis to the 1980s and 1990s when Japan's economy experienced vast swings in activity. According to the author, the most recent upheaval in the Japanese economy is the result of the policies of a central bank less concerned with stimulating the economy than with its own turf battles and its ideological agenda to change Japan's economic structure. The book combines new historical research with an in-depth behind-the-scenes account of the bureaucratic competition between Japan's most important institutions: the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Japan. Drawing on new economic data and first-hand eyewitness accounts, it reveals little known monetary policy tools at the core of Japan's business cycle, identifies the key figures behind Japan's economy, and discusses their agenda. The book also highlights the implications for the rest of the world, and raises important questions about the concentration of power within central banks.

Pushed Past the Limit? How Japanese Banks Reacted to Negative Interest Rates

Pushed Past the Limit? How Japanese Banks Reacted to Negative Interest Rates
Author: Mr.Gee Hee Hong
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 50
Release: 2018-06-13
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 148436161X

In this paper, we investigate how negative interest rate policy (NIRP) introduced in January 2016 by the Bank of Japan (BoJ) affected Japanese banks' lending and risk taking behavior. The BoJ's announcement was an unexpected surprise to the market and was followed by a sharp drop in equity prices of Japanese financial firms. We exploit the cross-sectional variation in the change of share prices on the day of the announcement to measure banks' differential exposure to NIRP. We show that more exposed banks increased their credit and took on more risk compared to banks that were less exposed to negative rates.

Mission Incomplete

Mission Incomplete
Author: Sayuri Shirai
Publisher:
Total Pages: 242
Release: 2018-07-31
Genre: Economic development
ISBN: 9784899740971

In April 2013 the Bank of Japan launched an unprecedented quantitative and qualitative monetary easing policy. It was thought that a 2% price stability target could be achieved within 2 years; 4 years on and we are still mission incomplete. Mission incomplete! This phrase neatly captures the progress made by the Bank of Japan (BOJ) in reflating the economy. In April 2013, the BOJ launched an unprecedented quantitative and qualitative monetary easing policy. The BOJ was certain that the 2% price stability target would be achieved within 2 years. About 4 years later, the BOJ lags behind other major central banks, with actual inflation and inflation expectations still well below 2%. What happened? And what should the BOJ do next? This former policy maker's account expertly traces and analyzes the policy's consequences.

Japan

Japan
Author: International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 109
Release: 2017-07-31
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1484313437

This paper assesses the stability of the financial system in Japan. Although the financial system has remained stable, the low profitability environment is creating new risks, and pressures are likely to persist. The search for yield among banks has led some to expand their overseas activities, and more generally to a growth in real estate lending and foreign securities investments. Efforts to increase risk-based lending to small-and medium-sized enterprises are welcome, but many banks still need to develop commensurate credit assessment capacities. Stress tests suggest that the banking sector remains broadly sound, although market risks are increasing, and there are some vulnerabilities among regional banks.

Negative Interest Rates

Negative Interest Rates
Author: Luís Brandão Marques
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 84
Release: 2021-03-03
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1513570080

This paper focuses on negative interest rate policies and covers a broad range of its effects, with a detailed discussion of findings in the academic literature and of broader country experiences.

Intervention to Save Hong Kong

Intervention to Save Hong Kong
Author: Charles Albert Eric Goodhart
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Total Pages: 236
Release: 2003
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9780199261109

By August 1998, the Hong Kong economy had become threatened not only by the natural consequences of the Asian crisis (1997-98), but also by waves of speculation, betting that the authorities would be forced to abandon the linked exchange rate (to the US dollar). When facing previous speculative attacks (starting October 1997), the authorities had followed traditional policies of raising interest rates. But by August 1998, such policies had helped to batter asset markets; property prices and output were falling, and confidence was low. Moreover, the speculators had developed an ingenious 'double play', simultaneously selling both the foreign exchange market and the Hang Seng equity market short; whether the authorities used an interest rate defense, or abandoned the 'link', the speculators would gain either way. So, the authorities decided on a bold, unexpected and unconventional response to reports of a further attack. They would undertake counter-intervention, again both in the equity and foreign exchange markets. This book provides a fascinating story in itself, and insights into what lessons academics and practitioners can learn from the turbulent events of the time.

The Escape from Balance Sheet Recession and the QE Trap

The Escape from Balance Sheet Recession and the QE Trap
Author: Richard C. Koo
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 353
Release: 2014-10-27
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1119028124

Compare global experiences during the balance sheet recession and find out what is needed for a full recovery The Escape from Balance Sheet Recession and the QE Trap details the many hidden dangers remaining as the world slowly recovers from the balance sheet recession of 2008. Author and leading economist Richard Koo explains the unique political and economic pitfalls that stand in the way of recovery from this rare type of recession that was largely overlooked by economists. Koo anticipated the current predicament in the West long before others and issued warnings in his previous books: Balance Sheet Recession and The Holy Grail of Macroeconomics. This new book illustrates how history is repeating itself in Europe while the United States, which learnt from the Japanese experience, is doing better by avoiding the fiscal cliff. However, because of the liberal dosage of quantitative easing already implemented, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan may face a treacherous path to normalcy in what Koo calls the QE Trap. He argues that it is necessary to understand balance sheet recession in order to resolve the Eurozone crisis, particularly the competitiveness problems. Koo issues warnings against those who are too ready to argue for structural reforms when the problems are actually with balance sheets. He re-examines Japan's two decades of experiences with this rare recession and offers an insider view on the Abenomics. On China, readers will gain a very different historical perspective as Koo argues that western commentators have forgotten their own history when they talk about the re-balancing of the Chinese economy. Learn from Japan which experienced the same predicament afflicting the West fifteen years earlier Discover how unwinding of quantitative easing will affect the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, as well as the emerging world Examine solutions to the Eurozone problems caused by two balance sheet recessions eight years apart Gain insight into China's problems from the West's own experiences with urbanisation Koo, who developed the concept of balance sheet recession based on Japan's experience, took the revolution in macroeconomics started by John Maynard Keynes in 1936 to a new height. The Escape from Balance Sheet Recession and the QE Trap offers the world cure for balance sheet recession.

Global Financial Stability Report, April 2013

Global Financial Stability Report, April 2013
Author: International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 160
Release: 2013-04-17
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1475589581

The Global Financial Stability Report examines current risks facing the global financial system and policy actions that may mitigate these. It analyzes the key challenges facing financial and nonfinancial firms as they continue to repair their balance sheets. Chapter 2 takes a closer look at whether sovereign credit default swaps markets are good indicators of sovereign credit risk. Chapter 3 examines unconventional monetary policy in some depth, including the policies pursued by the Federal Reserve, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank, and the U.S. Federal Reserve.

Asset Price Bubbles

Asset Price Bubbles
Author: William Curt Hunter
Publisher: MIT Press
Total Pages: 650
Release: 2005
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9780262582537

A study of asset price bubbles and the implications for preventing financial instability.