TOKYO, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Bank of Japan (BOJ) left its benchmark interest rate on hold at the end of its two-day board meeting on Thursday amid caution as it assesses the impact of U.S. tariffs and the new government's position.
The nine-member policy board kept the short-term rate at around 0.5 percent, marking the sixth consecutive meeting in which the central bank has stood pat, as the BOJ needs more time to coordinate with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's new administration.
BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda is scheduled to hold a press conference later in the day to explain the rationale behind maintaining the current stance and to provide updates on the outlook for Japan's economy and inflation. ■