The bank might take interim measures to help the economy, such as more encouragement for bank lending.

  Abe has long said he would proceed with a plan to raise the tax rate to 10 percent from 8...

  Critics argue that what is needed they say is additional government spending instead of more loose monetary policy.

  Core CPI is expected to bottom out around summer but it may be difficult to return to plus territory within...

 

  The gloomy data may rekindle market expectations that the Bank of Japan will expand monetary stimulus later this year.