Bank of Japan
The Bank of Japan (日本銀行, nihon ginko) is the central bank of Japan, which issues coins and bills for Yen (called 日本銀行券 Nihon Japan + ginkou Bank + ken ticket). It also provides financial services for banks doing business in Japan. The Bank of Japan publishes also a quartely report known as Tankan.
Its main headquarters are in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, northeast of Tokyo Station, although the older office in Nakanoshima, Osaka is a better-known symbol of the bank.
The chief (called 頭取, Todori) of the bank has influence about the economical policy of the Japanese government.
The so-called Plaza Accord was made in a New York Hotel in 1985 by the G5 to reduce the trade deficit of the United States. Japan agreed to let the apreciate and the Bank of Japan lowered its interest rates. That made loans cheaper and helped to inflate the land and stock bubble.
Toshihiko Fukui is the governor since March 2003.
Former governors
See also: Economy of Japan