Tokyo - The Bank of Japan (BOJ) decided on Wednesday to keep its key interest rate unchanged at 0.5 per cent.

Nine members of BOJ's policy board voted unanimously at the end of a one-day meeting to maintain its short-term interest rate.

The central bank last raised the interest rate by 0.25 point February 2007 to the current rate.

BOJ's decision came amid concerns over the Japanese economy facing downside risks due to global financial turmoil. (dpa)