TOKYO, Jan 7 (Reuters): Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday called on central bank governor Haruhiko Kuroda to keep up efforts to reflate the economy, but added he was undecided on whether to reappoint Kuroda for another five-year term.
Kuroda was handpicked by Abe to take the helm of the central bank in 2013 to deploy a massive stimulus program - part of the premier's "Abenomics" reflationary policies - that helped boost growth but failed to drive up inflation to the bank's target of 2.0 per cent.
Abe also said the government would continue to work with the central bank to boost growth, so that he could declare an official end to deflation at the earliest date possible.
"Governor Kuroda has met my expectations with job availability at a 43-year high," Abe said on public broadcaster NHK.
Many analysts see a good chance that Kuroda will be reappointed when the government selects successors to him and his two deputies in coming months, decisions that need parliament's approval.
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. — Reuters