15 Quotes by Masuhisa Kobayashi

We expect the core nationwide CPI to rise 0.4 pct year-on-year, for a fourth straight month of non-negative growth.

As the government is growing increasingly receptive to the idea of a policy shift, the central bank could very well change policy as early as March 9.

As the data show, the gap between domestic supply and demand is clearly narrowing, which should create the environment for prices to rise stably.

Although some government officials and ruling bloc lawmakers remain reluctant toward an early policy shift, there are nearly no objections in the private sector, including the banking industry, the insurance industry and business lobbies.

Inflation concerns are going to push up bond yields. Ten-year yields will rise to 2 percent in the first quarter.

The economic outlook favors higher yields next year. The deflationary era has finally ended and a sustainable increase in consumer prices is likely to get underway soon.