The Bank of Japan (8301) set a 2 percent inflation target and shifted to Federal Reserve-style open-ended asset purchases in its strongest commitment yet to ending two decades of deflation. The central bank announced the policy shift in Tokyo today. The BOJ previously said it would ease until 1 percent inflation is "in sight." Investors are the most bullish on Japan in more than three years as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledges aggressive measures to boost growth and weaken the yen. With the premier set to choose a successor for BOJ Governor Masaaki Shirakawa in April, the bank’s closer cooperation with the government ... (full story)