対面消費に下押し圧力　コロナ再拡大、影響注視―日銀総裁

　日銀は１５日、春の支店長会議をテレビ会議方式で開いた。黒田東彦総裁は冒頭、景気の現状について「引き続き厳しい状態にあるが、基調としては持ち直している」との認識を示した。ただ、昨秋以降の新型コロナウイルス感染の再拡大で「目先は対面型サービス消費に下押し圧力は続く」と分析。飲食、宿泊業などへの影響を含め、景気動向を注視する姿勢を示した。
　緊急事態宣言に準じた対応を可能とする「まん延防止等重点措置」の適用が大阪や東京など６都府県に広がっており、コロナ感染の現状に関しては「第４波」との指摘も出ている。黒田総裁は大規模金融緩和を継続する考えを表明し、「企業の資金繰り支援と金融市場の安定維持に努める」と強調。「必要があれば、ちゅうちょなく追加的な金融緩和措置を講じる」と述べた。（2021/04/15-11:38）

Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said Thursday that the consumption of in-person services is expected to continue seeing downward pressure due to the resurgence of the novel coronavirus since last autumn.
   Characterizing the country's economy as "being on a recovering trend, though in a severe state," Kuroda suggested that the central bank will closely monitor economic trends, including the epidemic's impact on the eateries and lodging sectors.
   He made the comments at the start of a quarterly meeting of the BOJ's branch managers held over a videoconferencing system.
   The Japanese government has put some areas in Tokyo and five other prefectures under the coronavirus pre-emergency stage based on the special law for the fight against the virus, allowing relevant local authorities to implement strict measures to prevent the spread of infections. Some, including experts, have described the current state of infections as a "fourth wave."
   Kuroda expressed his intent to continue the BOJ's massive monetary easing, saying, "We will continue efforts to support corporate financing and help maintain the stability of financial markets."