BOJ 'split' over further easing causes turbulence in markets

Tokyo

FINANCIAL markets in Tokyo were plunged into renewed turbulence on Thursday by reports that the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) Policy Board is divided over whether to launch further monetary easing later this month, even though markets are taking such a move largely for granted.

The yen has eased back sharply in recent days, and the Tokyo stock market moved to a several-month high, on the assumption that the Policy Board would announce fairly aggressive further easing moves at its Sept 20-21 meeting.