As for my own overall risk assessment related to the economy, the downside risks remain somewhat greater than the upside ones, although the degree of downside risks has lessened to some extent compared to October 2013 and January 2014. First, there is the risk that the rate of increase in exports will be more moderate than projected.
There is a possibility that the U.S. economic recovery pace will be slower than projected as a result of sluggish performance in the housing sector and relatively slow recovery in the employment conditions for long-term unemployed workers and involuntary part-time workers. Tepid performance in emerging economies, disinflation in the euro area, and geopolitical problems should also be monitored closely.