BoJ meeting expected to usher in fresh easing measures

The Bank of Japan wraps up a two-day policy meeting Tuesday with the under-pressure central bank widely expected to usher in fresh easing measures aimed at boosting the nation's limp economy. The yen has been in a steep decline as markets bet the BoJ will inflate its 101 trillion yen ($1.13 trillion) asset-buying programme in what would be the first time in nearly a decade that the BoJ has expanded monetary policy after two consecutive policy meetings. An expansion of the programme, the bank's main policy tool with rates near zero, would be its fourth major move since September after the BoJ's US and European counterparts ushered in huge measures to battle slowing growth. Japan's new government, led by the hawkish Shinzo Abe, swept to power last month on a pledge to fix the economy with big spending and pressure the BoJ into aggressive action to kickstart the world's third-largest economy. Observers were also expecting the bank to set a two-percent inflation target, a key government demand, in a bid to vanquish the deflation that has haunted the economy for years. Tensions have run high between BoJ policymakers and Abe's administration, with the 58-year-old premier having openly said he would like to turf out BoJ Governor Masaaki Shirakawa, whose terms ends in April, and threatened to change a law mandating the bank's independence if it doesn't fall into line. Japan's new finance minister, Taro Aso, has also weighed in, accusing the bank last month of being "slow in its response to deflation". Aso, the BoJ's chief and economic revitalisation minister Akira Amari were reportedly to hold a rare joint press briefing on Tuesday. Japan has been beset by deflation since the 1990s. It continues to hurt the economy as falling prices cut into corporate profits, leading firms to slash jobs and put off growth-generating capital investment. It also dents demand because it encourages consumers to delay purchases in the hope of paying less later. As part of its economic offensive, Tokyo has also unveiled a $226.5 billion stimulus plan with spending aimed at job creation, rebuilding areas hit by the 2011 quake-tsunami disaster and strengthening the military. The meeting is due to start at 8 am (2300 GMT Monday). A press conference is expected later in the day.