Japan’s Expansionary Monetary Policy under Abenomics (2013–2018)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26485/SPE/2019/111/17Keywords:
Abenomics; ultra-loose monetary policy; price levelAbstract
A major part of Abenomics is based on NKE (New Keynesian Economics) and its recommendations to adopt certain measures of state intervention when the economy is operating under its potential. This has been the case for Japan over the last two decades. Economists posit that a sustainable, mild inflation might be a remedy for Japan’s prolonged recession. This paper examines the expansionary monetary policy tools of the Bank of Japan (BOJ) and their impact on inflation targets and the CPI (consumers price index). It argues that they are efficient only with reference to the monetary base increases, but overall they are not sufficient. Bolder measures are necessary to improve the Japanese economy and boost domestic demand, including structural reforms; in particular overcoming the expanding income disparities in Japanese society. The following methods of research have been applied in this paper: economic data analysis; case study; documents analysis; cause-and-effect analysis.
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