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Monetary Policy under Zero Interest Rate:
Viewpoints of Central Bank Economists
Hiroshi Fujiki, Kunio Okina, and Shigenori Shiratsuka
Various proposals have been raised with respect to a desirable framework of monetary policy under the zero interest rate in Japan. By taking due account of such proposals, this paper intends to examine monetary policy options under the environment of the zero interest rate. In so doing, we first describe the policy framework of the gzero interest rate policy,h which was in place from February 1999 to August 2000, and its transmission mechanism. Then, in view of the problems intrinsic to the zero interest rate, we address three important questions: (1) the policy options that might be available in response to future economic developments; (2) the major risks associated with these policy options; and (3) how such risks might change under varying economic conditions. On this basis, we finally consider the medium- and long-term gstyleh of monetary policy in Japan in order to improve its effectiveness and efficiency.
Key words: Zero interest rate policy; Quantitative easing; Open market operation of outright purchase of long-term government bonds; Dispelling deflationary concern; Styles of monetary policy management
Views expressed in Monetary and Economic Studies are those
of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Bank
of Japan or Institute for Monetary and Economic Studies.
Copyright
 2001 Institute for Monetary and Economic Studies, Bank of Japan
All Right Reserved.
 
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