BOJ's Kuroda: Will take additional easing steps if needed

BOJ's Kuroda is speaking at a BOJ branch manager meeting, noting that he will take additional easing steps if needed, Reuters reports.

Headlines - Reuters

Japan's economy continues to recover moderately as a trend despite some signs of weaknesses in exports, output

Japan's economy expected to expand moderately as a trend

Consumer inflation likely to hover around zero

Consumer inflation likely to hover around zero for time being, then accelerate towards 2 pct

Japan's financial system maintaining stability

BOJ will maintain qqe with negative rates for as long as needed to achieve 2 pct inflation in stable manner

BOJ will take additional easing steps via quantity, quality of asset buying and interest rates if needed