BOJ warns of protracted battle with pandemic, keeps policy steady

Tokyo

JAPAN'S central bank is bracing for a protracted battle against the coronavirus pandemic as a second wave of infections cannot be ruled out, governor Haruhiko Kuroda said on Tuesday, signalling its readiness to top up monetary support.

The Bank of Japan stuck to its view that the world's third-largest economy will gradually recover as the pandemic subsides in the latter half of the year, suggesting it has taken enough steps for now.