The Bank of Japan vote last week to expand stimulus was the closest since 2008. Changes to the board’s makeup next year offer both risks and opportunities to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to shore up support for reflation. First up for Abe will be either reappointing or finding a replacement for Ryuzo Miyao, an academic by career who supported the surprise move four days ago, and whose term ends in March. In June, Abe can replace dissenter Yoshihisa Morimoto, a former business executive. Board members typically serve just one five-year term. With analysts still seeing Governor Haruhiko Kuroda and his colleagues failing ... (full story)