Japan central bank maintains key interest rate

In a widely expected decision, the Bank of Japan policy board voted unanimously Tuesday to keep the uncollateralized overnight call rate at 0.5 percent for the 20th straight month.

Economists and market observers are now awaiting the central bank's post-meeting statement as well as comments by Bank of Japan Gov. Masaaki Shirakawa.

There is growing speculation that the central bank may soon coordinate with the U.S. Federal Reserve and the European Central bank in an emergency policy move.