July 28 (Reuters) - The Bank of Japan maintained ultra-low interest rates on Friday but took steps to make its yield curve control policy more flexible, underscoring growing concerns over the rising side- effects of prolonged monetary easing.
It also maintained guidance allowing the 10-year yield to move 0.5% around the 0% target, but said those would be "references" rather than "rigid limits".
The benchmark 10-year Japanese government bond yield remained at 0.5%, the BOJ's policy ceiling under YCC.
"We maintain our view the BOJ will keep its ultra-easy monetary policy settings unchanged this year, and expect USD/JPY to remain solid at 140 by the end of this quarter."
MOH SIONG SIM, CURRENCY STRATEGIST, BANK OF SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE"By the time the decision come in, we're not surprised given the overnight Nikkei report.
Persons:
CAROL KONG, we're, It's, they're, MATT SIMPSON, Subhranshu
Organizations:
Bank of Japan, Japan's Nikkei, COMMONWEALTH BANK OF, BANK OF SINGAPORE, Nikkei, Thomson
Locations:
SYDNEY, SINGAPORE, BRISBANE