BoJ leaves monetary policy unchanged

The Bank of Japan left monetary policy unchanged today.

Economic data from Japan on Monday had not suggested that more monetary stimulus is needed.

Japan's current account moved back into surplus in February. It recorded a surplus of 1.18 trillion yen compared to the 437.3 billion yen deficit in January.

The Economy Watchers Survey's current conditions index jumped to 51.8 in March, the highest reading since July 2011, from 45.9 in February. The future conditions index fell to 49.7 in March from 50.1 in February.

Meanwhile, though, neighbouring China could be slow to ease monetary policy after a report on Monday showed that its inflation rate rose to 3.6 percent in March from 3.2 percent in February.