
TOKYO -- The members of the Bank of Japan's policy board were deeply divided over whether additional easing could stir up inflation expectations among consumers and corporations or simply end up hurting the economy, minutes from the Oct. 31 meeting show.
The board kicked off the gathering by looking at economic conditions and changes in price levels, according to minutes released Tuesday. All nine members agreed that plunging crude oil prices, among other factors, were putting downward pressure on consumer prices.