BOJ maintains monetary easing

Policymakers at Japan’s central bank say they will continue their current monetary easing measures. Bank of Japan policy board members announced the decision at the end of their 2-day meeting on Wednesday, according to Japan’s (NHK WORLD) website. They said personal consumption continues to recover with improvement in the employment and income environments. They said exports have recently leveled off, but noted that capital investment by firms is gradually rising. The board maintains its view that the economy is recovering moderately. Board members unanimously agreed to carry on with the current monetary easing measures to end years of deflation in Japan. They introduced the stimulus program last year, aiming for inflation of 2-percent.