BOJ keeps interest rates steady, decides to start selling ETFs

The Bank of Japan kept interest rates steady on Friday, but decided to start selling its holdings of exchange-traded funds (ETF) and real-estate investment trusts (REIT).

As widely expected, the central bank maintained short-term interest rates at 0.5% at the two-day policy meeting that ended on Friday. But board members Naoki Tamura and Hajime Takata dissented to the decision.

BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda will hold a news conference to explain the decision at 3:30 p.m. (0630 GMT).