Pessimism Grows Over BOJ’s 2% Inflation Target

The transcript discusses the heated debate in Japan regarding the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) inflation target of 2%. Despite efforts over six years, reaching this target remains challenging. Finance Minister Taro Aso has suggested that not achieving 2% inflation might not be catastrophic. The upcoming BOJ quarterly report is expected to show inflation below 2%, but possibly above 1.5%, allowing the BOJ to maintain its narrative of progress. The debate continues to be a significant topic in Japan's economic discussions.

What is expected to be the inflation number in the upcoming quarterly report?

What rhetorical defense might the Bank of Japan use regarding inflation projections?