The Bank of Japan will consider easing monetary policy again this month as it eyes doubling its inflation target, sources say, as weakness in the economy threatens to delay the country in getting out of deflation.
Any easing will likely take the form of another increase in the BOJ's 101 trillion yen ($1 trillion) asset buying and lending program, sources familiar with its thinking said.
"The trend for prices is weak and that's a concern. The outlook for overseas economies is also highly uncertain," said one of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.