Founded in 1882 as Japan's central bank, the Bank of Japan primarily issues banknotes and acts as a treasurer for the government. The bank is responsible for implementing lending rate changes as well as maintaining fluctuations in reserve requirements. It also compiles data and performs research and analysis pertaining to the overall economy. The bank's policy board meets about a dozen times each year to make decisions on monetary policies, which are then carried out by the Bank of Japan's providing and absorbing funds into the market.