In today’s speech, I will begin by focusing on recent economic and financial developments in Japan and abroad, as well as the Bank’s monetary policy. I will then touch briefly on the economy of Nara Prefecture. Following my speech, I would like to hear your views on actual conditions in the local economy and on the Bank’s conduct of monetary policy. I.
Recent economic and financial developments in Japan and abroad  A. Overseas economies  Overseas economies – mainly advanced economies – have continued to grow at a moderate pace, despite the slowdown in emerging economies.