BOJ’s Adachi says conditions are already in place to start normalising policy

Bank of Japan board member Seiji Adachi speaking.

  • Conditions are already in place for the BOJ to start normalizing monetary policy.
  • In normalizing monetary policy, the BOJ must take rate hikes in several stages.
  • In normalizing policy, the BOJ must avoid drastic policy change that could stoke fear of a return to deflation.
  • The BOJ will raise rates at a very moderate pace, maintaining an accommodative financial environment, until underlying inflation stably and sustainably hits 2%.
  • Hiking rates at a rapid pace after the inflation target is met could cause a big shock to the economy.
  • The BOJ should raise rates in several stages to achieve smooth policy normalization.
  • Even when the BOJ raises rates, it must maintain an accommodative financial environment, meaning the real policy rate should stay below the natural rate of interest.
  • At present, there is no need to raise rates rapidly to curb inflation.
  • The BOJ must avoid a premature rate hike, using conservative estimates when gauging Japan’s natural rate of interest.
  • Japan’s current real policy rate is sufficiently below the natural rate, meaning an accommodative financial environment remains in place.
  • If chance of underlying inflation exceeding 2% heightens, BOJ will
    raise its policy rate at pace exceeding rate of inflation
  • If inflation
    moves sustainably, stably around 2%, BOJ can guide monetary policy in
    a way allowing for policy rate to move roughly in line with neutral
    rate
  • Uncertainty over the outlook means cannot project a specific level of the neutral rate
  • Consumption is moving in line with the trend projected by the BOJ
  • Output, exports and Capex are firm, but the corporate sector appears to be lacking
  • Cannot ignore overseas economic uncertainties for time being
  • Reversal of yen
    weakness may intensify, put downward pressure on consumer inflation
  • I am somewhat
    cautious on whether firms will continue sufficient wage hikes next
    year
  • Given global
    uncertainties, we must scrutinise developments in next year’s wage
    talks

His comments started off gung-ho on rate hikes but lost some gusto towards the end with a few caveats.

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at www.forexlive.com. Source