Any such decision could drive down the Japanese currency further from 24-year lows hit in recent weeks, as investors focus on the widening gap between Japan's ultra-low interest rates and the U.S. Federal Reserve's aggressive rate hike plans. "With other central banks hiking rates, the BOJ's negative rate policy will come under the spotlight and may unleash further yen selling." The BOJ's rate review will be the first one for Hajime Takata and Naoki Tamura, who joined the nine-member board in July. They succeeded former commercial banker Hitoshi Suzuki and economist Goushi Kataoka, a vocal advocate of aggressive easing who consistently voted against keeping rates steady. A unanimous vote would suggest the two newcomers are unlikely to rock the boat on monetary policy for the time being.

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