"The upgrade in the BOJ's consumption assessment shows it is becoming increasingly convinced that things are on track, with rising wages pushing up household income and spending," said Naomi Muguruma, chief bond strategist at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities.

The Bank of Japan has opted to hold short-term interest rates, pointing to a moderate recovery in the economy but warning that “high uncertainties” remain in the outlook for activity and prices. In a widely expected decision on Friday,

The Bank of Japan kept interest rates steady today and revised up its assessment on consumption, signalling its confidence a solid economic recovery would allow the central bank to raise interest rates again in coming months.