Risks to the outlook  While there are many uncertainties regarding the outlook for economic activity and prices, the three risks that I think warrant the most attention are the following: (1) the risk that if the fiscal and financial problems in Europe intensify they may affect Japan’s economy through various channels; (2) downside risks with regard to overseas economies other than those of Europe; and (3) the possibility that firms’ and households’ medium- to long-term growth expectations may decline in the longer run.
Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy invited me to join them at the Chancellery in Berlin. The Governing Council of the ECB advised me, in real time, that it would be useful if I accepted this invitation so that I could put across the views of the ECB. Another € billion for Greece, after € billion last year.