In this environment of weak economic growth, we are sometimes encouraged, as the monetary policy authorities, to try and do more for growth. This is a valid and important contribution to policymaking, so I would like to spend a few minutes explaining the monetary settings we have in place now and why we think these settings are supportive of growth.
The output prices DI in the Tankan represents the difference between the share of firms that raised prices in the preceding three months and the share of firms that lowered prices. Sources: Consensus Economics Inc., "Consensus Forecasts"; Bank of Japan.