BOJ's Ueda blames weak U.S. data for last summer's market rout

TOKYO, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said on Tuesday the sharp volatility seen in currency and stock markets last summer was mainly caused by investors' concern over weak U.S. jobs data and the risk of a slowdown in the U.S. economy.

"We are aware, however, of criticism that our policy stance has not been clear enough and that was part of the reason for the market volatility," Ueda told parliament.