Japan keeps rates at 0.1%

The Bank of Japan’s Policy Board has unanimously elected to retain the country’s interest rate at 0.1%.
Domestic and overseas policy changes have helped improve Japan’s economic situation, though it is by no means out of the woods.
Exports, production and private consumption are all getting better and the financial environmentis showing some signs of beginning to improve.
The Bank of Japan has recognised that it is a substantial challenge for the country to see off deflation and return to sustainable growth, but has stated that it will do all it can to encourage this happening.
Earlier this month the Bank of England retained rates at the historic low of 0.5%, a move matched by the European Central Bank which held the eurozone rate at 1%.
An exception to the holding of rates by central banks is Australia, where the Reserve Bank has increased rates by 25 basis points for three months on the trot, with the rate now standing at 3.75%.