BOJ will eventually need to normalise policy: Kuroda

TOKYO, Apr 9 (Reuters): Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said on Monday the central bank would eventually need to consider how to normalise its ultra-easy monetary policy.

But he reiterated that it was too early to debate specific means to whittle down stimulus with inflation distant from the BOJ's 2.0 per cent target.

"I think the process of any shift (from easy policy) would be cautious and gradual, as with US and European central banks," Kuroda told a news conference.

Earlier, he said that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had asked him to ensure that monetary policy contributed to meeting the central bank's 2.0 per cent inflation target.

Finance Minister Taro Aso said the government and BOJ would continue to honour a joint statement that commits the government to ensuring growth and the central bank to achieving price stability.