BOJ faces major dilemma over inflation target

Tokyo

BANK of Japan (BOJ) governor Haruhiko Kuroda is facing an acute dilemma as his target of achieving 2 per cent annual consumer price inflation appears to recede ever further into the distance, with the way out possibly involving a showdown with the central bank's Policy Board, or with the financial markets.

Critical decisions will need to be made soon - decisions that could make a dramatic impact on the value of the Japanese yen and on the Tokyo stock market, depending on the outcome, economists say.

Matters could come to a head next week at the next regular monthly meeting of the BOJ's nine-membe…