Bank of Japan board member Asahi Noguchi spoke to business leaders in Nagasaki. Saying he sees a need for the Bank to maintain loose monetary policy stance given its going to take time to exit deflation:

  • “It will likely take considerable time for a mindset that is consistent with the 2% price stability target to be established among the society,”
  • “Until then, I believe it is most important to continue to patiently maintain accommodative financial conditions.”

Noguchi was conveying a very similar message to Prime Minister Ishiba on Wednesday:

  • “I don’t believe we are in an environment that requires an additional rate increase”

So that we don't conclude that the Bank of Japan is subject to political pressure, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi weighed in by saying PM Ishiba didn't request any specific monetary policy of BOJ governor Ueda when they met on Wednesday. Huh. I imagine Ueda got to his exalted position by managing to read between the lines over his career though. And, lest you think I am singling out the BoJ as being 'emotionally intelligent' with regards to politics, imagine if the Fed cut rates by 50bp going into an election! Oh, wait ...

USD/JPY carried on its Wednesday rally to highs just over 147.20 before falling back under 147.00. Elsewhere across major FX the USD added points, although ranges were subdued. US nonfarm payroll data are due on Friday and will soon come into focus.

While BOJ and yen developments are a focus, so too are Chinese markets and stimulus. China remains on holiday, but Hong Kong is trading. The benchmark Hang Seng index pulled back today. As I post is off around 4% on the day. Which barely scratches the surface of its epic rise since stimulus announcements last week.

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