Shirakawa Says BOJ May Ease Monetary Stance If Economy Weakens, Asahi Says

The Bank of Japan may further ease its monetary stance if the economy deteriorates, the Asahi newspaper reported, citing an interview with Masaaki Shirakawa, the governor of the central bank.

Shirakawa said the BOJ may increase the size of a fund created to purchase mutual funds and government bonds, the newspaper reported.

The bank will maintain its “virtual zero-rate policy” until it decides that consumer prices are likely to rise, the newspaper cites Shirakawa as saying.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Takehiko Kumakura at tkumakura@bloomberg.net