Bank of Japan could ease further despite strong industrial output data

Tokyo

THE Bank of Japan's Policy Board could surprise financial markets by announcing further monetary easing when it meets on Friday, despite stronger than expected industrial output for September that was reported on Thursday for the world's third largest economy.

Some analysts say that the Japanese central bank is widening the focus of its inflation targeting to include indirect support for Japanese stock prices, as a means to bolster confidence and consumption, and to support prime minister Shinzo Abe's economic growth targets.