Economist who picked October BOJ easing says watch out again in April

Yuji Shimanaka economist at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Co. in Tokyo, who correctly predicted the unexpected expansion in monetary easing in October, says to expect more in April

Says:

• One of several gauges of consumer prices could approach zero or even decline by March, challenging the central bank's outlook for inflation to accelerate in the year ahead and forcing its hand
• Shimanaka's call contrasts with signs that the weak yen may give pause to the BOJ
• Shimanaka said there is a high risk that the central bank will lose credibility if prices drop and it doesn't increase stimulus at one of its two meetings in April.
• "Kuroda will face a test of his determination," he said in an interview on Feb. 24. "He has said he will be decisive."

This is from a Bloomberg article, well worth reading the whole thing