Moreover, it is increasingly possible to see cases where firms have succeeded in differentiating their goods and services in response to the aging of and decline in the population and customers are showing interest in high value-added goods with relatively high prices; thus, there are forces that make it relatively easier for firms to raise prices.
*  *  *  Introduction The Bank of Japan submits to the Diet its Semiannual Report on Currency and Monetary Control in June and December. Most recently, the Bank submitted the report for the second half of fiscal 2012 on June 14, 2013.