Policymakers at the Bank of Japan have decided to keep the central bank's easing program unchanged.
The two-day meeting that ended on Friday was the last for Governor Kuroda Haruhiko, who will step down next month. The policy of massive monetary easing he has conducted over his decade-long tenure will be carried over to the new governor.
The BOJ will keep the short-term benchmark interest rate in negative territory. It will also continue its asset purchases to keep long-term rates "around 0 percent."