The Bank of Japan (BoJ) released its interest rate decision on Friday. The BoJ kept its interest rate at 0.1% unchanged. The central bank will expand its monetary base at an annual pace of 80 trillion yen. The BoJ board voted by an 8-1 margin to hold off fresh stimulus measures.

The BoJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said at the press conference that Japan's economy continues to recover moderately. He added that the nation's economy is on track to reach the BoJ's 2% inflation target and the BoJ would do anything to achieve its target.

The BoJ said that "exports have shown signs of picking up", but "private consumption has remained resilient".