BOJ keeps policy rate unchanged as Iran war complicates next steps

The Bank of Japan on Thursday kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged, as developments in the Middle East complicate the future path of its monetary policy.With the Iran war threatening to drive up inflation and dampen economic growth, the central bank is bracing for the upside and downside risks to the price and economic outlooks.BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda said at a press conference after its two-day policy meeting through Thursday that he "needs more time" to understand the impact the war will have on the economy."We have decided to keep the policy unchanged as risks associated with risin…READ FULL ARTICLE