Second, the Bank established a new U.S. dollar lending arrangement of 1 trillion yen equivalent (12 billion U.S. dollars) for financial institutions’ investments and loans denominated in foreign currencies. That aimed at supporting the efforts to strengthen domestic growth potential by utilizing the trend of globalization.
*  *  *  The last time I joined you in this Forum was at end November 2013. Since then, the Fed taper had become a reality – this week, the Fed is expected to announce the end of its asset purchase program.