“The ``big-bones'' draft is a misunderstanding of how to prevent interest rate hikes'' Minister of Growth Strategy Jouchi

Concerning the expressions specified in the original draft of the ``Basic Policy,'' there is a view in the financial market that the government is restraining the Bank of Japan's interest rate hikes. Minister for Growth Strategy Jouchi said this was a ``misunderstanding,'' and explained that the government's position remains that the specific methods of monetary policy should be left to the Bank of Japan.