Introduction

As the world slowly emerges from the grip of COVID-19, policymakers around the globe are grappling with a host of challenges. For Japan’s central bank, one key question looms large: How can it navigate a post-pandemic landscape where bond yield caps have become increasingly difficult to maintain? From economic uncertainty to shifting global dynamics, there are many factors at play. In this blog post, we’ll explore why abandoning bond yield caps won’t be an easy feat for Japan’s central bank – and what it means for investors and businesses alike.

Why COVID-19 has made it difficult for the Bank of Japan to hit its inflation target

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Bank of Japan has been forced to take unprecedented measures in order to support the economy. One of these measures is increasing the amount of money that it pumps into the financial system through asset purchases, which is known as quantitative easing (QE).

Under QE, the central bank buys government bonds and other assets from financial institutions in order to increase the money supply and lower interest rates. This makes it easier for businesses to borrow money and invest, which boosts economic activity.

The problem is that QE also makes it more difficult for the central bank to hit its inflation target of 2%. Inflation has been stuck below this target for years, despite the BoJ’s best efforts. The pandemic has only made things worse, as consumer prices have fallen sharply due to a decrease in demand.

To reach its inflation target, the BoJ would need to print a lot more money and use it to buy assets. This would likely cause inflation to surge in the short-term, but it would be very difficult to keep it under control once it started rising. Given these challenges, abandoned its bond yield cap in March 2020 and shifted to an unlimited QE program.

Why the Bank of Japan is unlikely to abandon its yield curve control policy

Since the global financial crisis, the Bank of Japan has been using yield curve control (YCC) to manage its bond market.

The BOJ introduced YCC in 2016 as a way to combat years of low inflation and stagnant economic growth. The policy involves setting a target for the yield on 10-year government bonds and then intervening in the market to keep rates at that level.

The thinking behind YCC is that by keeping rates low, the BOJ can encourage borrowing and spending, which will eventually lead to higher inflation and economic growth.

So far, the policy has been successful in keeping rates low and boosting inflation. But with the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, some economists have suggested that the BOJ should abandon YCC in order to free up more money to fight the virus.

However, this is unlikely to happen for two reasons. First, YCC has been successful in achieving its goals so far, so there is no reason for the BOJ to abandon it now. Second, even if the BOJ did abandon YCC, it is not clear what other policy tools it would use instead. The BOJ has already cut interest rates to near zero and implemented large-scale asset purchases, so it doesn’t have many options left.

In conclusion, although the coronavirus pandemic has created some challenges for the BOJ, it is unlikely that the central bank will abandon its yield curve control

The implications of a potential policy change for Japanese investors

A potential policy change by Japan’s central bank could have major implications for Japanese investors. The central bank is considering abandoning its bond yield cap, which has been in place since 2016. This could lead to higher interest rates on government bonds and other debt instruments, and could make it more difficult for the government to finance its budget deficit. Investors would likely demand higher yields on government bonds in order to compensate for the increased risk. This would put upward pressure on interest rates, which could lead to higher borrowing costs for businesses and consumers. It could also lead to a decline in the value of the Japanese yen, as investors seek out higher-yielding investments in other currencies.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the Bank of Japan will have to find a way to navigate their post-COVID monetary policy while still keeping inflation in check. Despite the difficulties associated with abandoning their yield cap and the potential risks associated with such a move, it still appears to be an inevitable step that must be taken if they wish to maintain economic stability and prosperity in Japan for years to come. The road ahead won’t be easy but by walking this path carefully, there is hope that we can all overcome this turbulent period as we head into 2021 and beyond.