Two speeches coming up from the Bank of Japan today

Due at 0130GMT, Takehiro Sato, BOJ Policy Board member speaks at a meeting with business leaders in Nara

  • Sato will follow up with a press conference at 0500GMT

Due at 0345GMT, Bank of Japan Governor Kuroda will speak at Paris Europlace Financial Forum. The forum takes place in Tokyo.

  • The agenda for the forum is packed with speakers and we may see headlines from particiapnts other thankuroda, so a heads up for that. (Program is here if you're curious).

Just on the BOJ speakers ... despite all the challenges facing the bank comments have been trending more optimistic. Its not all sunshine and lollipops from them, but overall confidence from the BOJ is creeping up. Put that together with pressures to avoid a further weakening of the yen and the potential for extra BOJ stimulus is falling. (The next Bank of Japan meeting is 17 and 18 December).