TOKYO -- Long-term interest rates have been declining due to large purchases of Japanese government bonds by the Bank of Japan. Some market players are concerned that bond trading will become increasingly difficult because of lower liquidity, but the BOJ remains positive about the effect of its easing measures.
The benchmark 10-year JGB yield was around 0.6% in early spring, but it began to decline again from around July, and fell below 0.5% for the first time in 16 months in August. The Japanese economy remains tepid though prices are rising.
