TOKYO, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Bank of Japan (BOJ) on Thursday decided to leave interest rates unchanged, maintaining its accommodative monetary policy.
The central bank kept its key short-term rate on hold at around 0.25 percent at the end of a two-day policy meeting, in a move widely expected by the market.
Eight of the nine BOJ Policy Board members voted in support of Thursday's decision, marking the third straight time for the bank to hold policy steady.
Japan's core consumer prices, a key economic indicator for inflation monitored closely by the BOJ, have remained at or above the central bank's 2 percent target since April 2022.
The board members have repeatedly said the BOJ will tighten its monetary policy further if it confirms the economy and prices are moving in line with expectations.
"There remain high uncertainties surrounding Japan's economic activity and prices, including developments in overseas economic activity and prices," a statement after the meeting said.
The BOJ ended negative rates in March with its first increase since 2007, and then raised rates again in July in a surprise jump to the current 0.25 percent from the range of zero to 0.1 percent.■