Exclusive Interview with Masaaki Shirakawa,
Governor of the Bank of Japan
"Japan’s Government, the Private Sector and Central Bank Need to Show Determination to Overcome the Nation’s Fundamental Economic Problems"

Supported by growth in the global economy, the performance of Japanese firms has improved again. Yet, given the prolonged deflation Japan has experienced and uncertainty over future prospects for the economy, firms’ and households’ growth expectations continue to be subdued. What is the root cause of this sense of stagnation in Japan? How can Japan overcome it? What role can monetary policy play in this situation? Looking for answers to these questions, we interviewed Masaaki Shirakawa, the Governor of the Bank of Japan.