BOJ's Kuroda Surprises Markets With Wait-and-See Approach

Governor Corona is adopting a 'wait and see' approach with negative interest rates, introduced in January, to assess their impact on the economy. Despite market expectations, he has not introduced measures to counteract negative rate side effects, focusing instead on a 2% growth target. Consumer prices remain flat, and he has extended the timeframe to meet the bank's inflation goal. Known for surprises, Corona's strategy includes unprecedented monetary stimulus, with potential further actions in June.

What growth target is Governor Corona focusing on, and how does it relate to current economic conditions?

What was the outcome of the consumer spending data mentioned in the press conference?