Haruhiko Kuroda

The Bank of Japan announced a review of its longstanding monetary easing measures on April 28 but said it would maintain them for the time being in the first policy decision under new governor Kazuo Ueda.

Japan's consumer prices rose 3.1 percent in March, matching last month's figure and roughly in line with expectations, as inflation slows from four-decade highs, government data showed on April 21.

The figure, which excludes volatile fresh food prices, was marginally higher than market expectations of a 3.0 percent rise and even with February numbers.

Japan's central bank left its ultra-easy monetary policy unchanged in its last meeting before Governor Haruhiko Kuroda steps down and is replaced by economics professor Kazuo Ueda.

While most analysts expected the Bank of Japan to stay the course in Kuroda's final policy decision, some had speculated about a surprise tweak.

The yen hit its lowest level against the dollar in two decades yesterday, extending recent falls as the gap widens between Japan's ultra-loose monetary policy and U.S. tightening.

Despite being traditionally considered a safe-haven currency, uncertainty fueled by the war in Ukraine has not caused the yen to strengthen.

Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso said on Sept. 1 it would be beneficial for this week's meeting of the Group of 20 major economies to discuss what is going on in China's economy.

China is Japan's biggest trading partner. China's stock markets have lost nearly 40 percent of their value since mid-June as an economic slowdown rattles investors. 

The US spied on senior Japanese politicians, its top central banker and major companies including conglomerate Mitsubishi, according to documents released jULY 31 by WikiLeaks, which published a list of at least 35 targets.

The Japanese government on April 21 nominated Yukitoshi Funo, a senior adviser to Toyota Motor, to join the Bank of Japan's  policy board.

The 68-year-old is set to replace Yoshihisa Morimoto, whose five-year term on the central bank's nine-seat board will end on June 30.