JAPAN

Japan Will Pursue “Appropriate” Policy: Japanese Finance Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, in a prepared speech to a regional bank association last week, said Japan will continue to pursue flexible and appropriate fiscal and monetary policy to ensure non-inflationary, domestic-demand-led growth. Hashimoto said Japan’s economy remains strong although the pace of expansion is slowing. Japan continues to enjoy autonomous economic growth, he said. The recent Bank of Japan discount rate cut should contribute to prolonging Japan’s expansion, he said.