BOJ to Keep Rates Steady as Politics Muddles Outlook

BANK OF JAPAN / BOJ - TOKYO. The Bank of Japan is expected to maintain ultra-low interest rates on Thursday and signal a cautious approach to rolling back its massive monetary stimulus, as political uncertainty and jittery markets cloud the outlook.

The ruling coalition's loss of a majority in a weekend election has heightened concerns about policy paralysis, raising the hurdle for additional rate hikes, analysts say.