Bank of Japan board member Hajime Takada: The Middle East conflict is unlikely to cause a decline in the Japanese economy.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand will announce its interest rate decision and monetary policy statement in ten minutes.

Bank of Japan policy board member Hajime Takada: We need to pay attention to the possibility that rising overseas interest rates may cause Japan's neutral interest rate to rise to a level higher than market expectations.

Bank of Japan policy board member Hajime Takada warned that Japan's prices could face a greater-than-expected increase if overseas factors push up prices emerge.

Bank of Japan policy board member Hajime Takada: Whether the monetary easing policy can be exited smoothly will determine how the policy will ultimately be evaluated.

Bank of Japan policy board member Hajime Takada: It is necessary for us to closely monitor the development of long-term interest rates and communicate effectively with the market.