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Central Bank Credibility During COVID-19: Evidence from Japan

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  • Jens H. E. Christensen
  • Mark M. Spiegel

Abstract

Japanese realized and expected inflation has been below the Bank of Japan’s two percent target for many years. We use the exogenous COVID-19 pandemic shock to examine the efficacy of monetary and fiscal policy responses for elevating inflation expectations from an arbitrage-free term structure model of nominal and real yields. We find that monetary and fiscal policy announcements during this period failed to lift inflation expectations, which instead declined notably and are projected to only slowly revert back to levels far below the announced target. Hence, our results illustrate the challenges faced in raising well-anchored low inflation expectations.

Suggested Citation

  • Jens H. E. Christensen & Mark M. Spiegel, 2021. "Central Bank Credibility During COVID-19: Evidence from Japan," Working Paper Series 2021-24, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedfwp:93581
    DOI: 10.24148/wp2021-24
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    affine arbitrage-free term structure model; unconventional monetary policy; deflation risk; deflation protection;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C32 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes; State Space Models
    • E43 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Interest Rates: Determination, Term Structure, and Effects
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G17 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Financial Forecasting and Simulation

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