Bank of Japan investigates leak of rates decision

It was a bold and historic decision, made by the narrowest of majorities, and it shook share and currency markets around the world
Haruhiko Kuroda, governor of the Bank of Japan, touches his face during a news conference. It is investigating a leak of its decision to bring in negative interest rates in January
Haruhiko Kuroda, governor of the Bank of Japan, touches his face during a news conference. It is investigating a leak of its decision to bring in negative interest rates in January
REUTERS

It was a bold and historic decision, made by the narrowest of majorities, and it shook share and currency markets around the world. Now the hunt is on to find out who leaked the news last month that Japan’s central was introducing negative exchange rates.

Today, Haruhiko Kuroda, the governor of the Bank of Japanm, insisted that none of his people was behind the leak, which anticipated by ten minutes the official announcement on January 29. Published by the Nikkei news service, operated by the Nikkei newspaper, the news drove up the stock market and weakened the value of the yen.

“According to our investigations so far, there was no exchange of information between BOJ staff,” Mr Kuroda told Japan’s Diet. “We will continue to