2017.06.2101:10:00UTC+00BOJ Minutes Says Asset Purchases Expected to Fluctuate

Bank of Japan officials acknowledged that government purchases will fluctuate under its current quantitative easing program but do not expect these movements to pose problems for its guidance on market operations.

Based on the minutes of the BOJ's April 26-27 gathering released Wednesday, policymakers were more upbeat about exports and industrial production but still wary of inflation projections.

The minutes validated the central bank has become more positive about the Japanese economy and more comfortable with temporarily slowing the rate of debt buying. However, policymakers recognized the country is still far from hitting the 2% inflation target.

Last month, Japan's central bank maintained its monetary policy and provided the most optimistic economy assessment in nine years. It also kept a loose pledge to purchase government bonds to increase holdings at a yearly pace of ¥80 trillion ($719 billion).