🔥 Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda: Need to address both rising energy prices and economic slowdown risks, policy making is very challenging

On April 17, Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda, after attending the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Washington, told reporters that the current situation involves significant shocks caused by rising energy prices, which pose both inflationary and economic slowdown risks. He emphasized that policymakers need to simultaneously address inflation risks triggered by the Middle East conflict and economic slowdown risks, making policy responses very difficult. Ueda did not send a clear signal on interest rates, which may be his last opportunity to signal to the market before the April 28 rate decision. Next week's meeting will determine the benchmark interest rate and release the latest economic forecasts, with expectations of raising inflation outlooks and possibly lowering growth forecasts. He stated that the most appropriate response measures will be chosen...