日銀、資産購入拡大へ　パニック封じ込め、正念場―新型コロナ

　急激な株安や円高の進行に日銀が警戒感を強めている。１８、１９日に開く金融政策決定会合では、金融市場の安定に向けた対策を打ち出す見通し。上場投資信託（ＥＴＦ）などの金融資産の買い入れ拡大が検討されそうだ。市場参加者の不安心理を払拭（ふっしょく）し、パニック的な動きを封じ込められるか。日銀は正念場を迎える。
　１２日の東京株式市場では、新型コロナウイルスの感染拡大を受け、日経平均株価が２年１１カ月ぶりに１万９０００円を割り込んで取引を終えた。ある日銀幹部は「市場はパニック状態だ。安心感を与えるようなコミュニケーションが重要だ」と語り、次回会合では踏み込んだ対応が必要だと強調する。（2020/03/12-19:23）

The Bank of Japan is expected to consider increasing its purchases of exchange-traded funds and other assets at its monetary policy meeting next week, in a bid to quell panic over plummeting stock prices and the surging yen amid the new coronavirus outbreak, informed sources said.
   On Thursday, the benchmark 225-issue Nikkei average on the Tokyo Stock Exchange dived more than 800 points to close below 19,000 for the first time in two years and 11 months as worries over the virus epidemic grew.
   "Markets are in a panic," a senior BOJ official said. "Communication that gives reassurance is crucial," the official added, stressing the need for discussions on drastic measures at the two-day meeting of the central bank from next Wednesday.
   The BOJ will "ensure stability in markets and the economy through appropriate asset purchases," BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda told reporters after a meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday.
   The central bank is expected to mainly consider buying ETFs temporarily without limits to help stabilize financial markets. It currently purchases ETFs at a pace of 6 trillion yen per year.