Japan has kept its key interest rate at between zero and 0.1% as policymakers continue to try to bolster the country’s fragile economic recovery.
The central bank warned that the recovery “seems to be pausing”.
Japan has been suffering from a strong yen, weak exports and almost two years of falling prices.
Last month, the government passed a $61bn (£39bn) stimulus package, the latest in a series of measures designed to boost the economy by creating jobs.
The Bank of Japan also said it would consider taking further steps to aid the recovery.
In October, the bank announced a 5tn yen ($60bn; £40bn) asset purchase scheme designed to boost demand in the economy.
Announcing the latest rate decision, the bank said that while the economy was showing signs of “moderate recovery”, it would “continue to carefully examine the outlook for economic activity and prices, and take policy action in an appropriate manner”.
