Economics

The Bank of Japan's Never-Ending Crisis Is a Lesson to the World's Central Banks

  • Global policy makers will need new tools in the next downturn
  • Japan shows them what does (and doesn’t) work over long haul

The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo.

Photographer: Akio Kon/Bloomberg
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Central bankers searching for options to fight the next downturn should look to Japan, where policy makers are gathering for a regular review of the world’s most epic monetary stimulus program.

The Bank of Japan’s two-decade journey from zero interest rates to massive asset purchases, negative rates and yield-curve control demonstrates a combination of tools that can be used to sustain stimulus -- along with the huge damage that piles up when it drags on too long.