TOKYO: Japan's central bank is in the midst of a two-day policy meeting, and many economists are not expecting the Bank of Japan (BoJ) to take further easing measures this time round. However, this is the first board meeting since a cabinet reshuffle early this week, and Economics Minister Seiji Maehara may start a new trend by attending the meeting on Friday. Mr Maehara has also indicated that he hopes to attend future meetings as much as possible. Up to now, the government has usually been represented at the meetings by vice ministers or senior bureacrats - rarely a cabinet minister. They can state their views and ask for decisions to be postponed but cannot participate in the formulation of monetary policy. However, the government has been calling on the central bank to do more to boost the economy. And when Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda reshuffled his cabinet on Monday, giving the economic and fiscal policy post to Mr Maehara, some economists say that's a signal that more pressure might come on the BoJ. Just last month, the central bank decided to expand its asset purchase programme by 10 trillion yen - while keeping its key interest rate at near zero percent. So most economists do not expect any additional easing steps this time round. Instead, they are looking ahead to the next meeting at the end of the month when the BoJ will update its outlook on the economy and prices. Mr Maehara intends to press the BoJ to quickly achieve its one percent inflation target. And he's in favour of purchasing foreign bonds to weaken the Japanese yen. Economist Kenji Yumoto said he believes Mr Maehara understands the economy, but he sees his call for BoJ action as part of a political manouevring ahead of the general election.

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