No need to change policy as prices are on track: BOJ

TOKYO, Jan 22 (Reuters): Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said on Wednesday that diminishing overseas risks and steady progress in meeting the bank's price goal meant that there was no need to consider changing its policy framework.
"Of course, there could be both upside and downside risks to the BOJ's price forecast but such risks have not materialised, and if that's the case, the current policy will continue," Kuroda told a news conference, shrugging off any need for immediate additional stimulus.
The BOJ kept monetary policy steady on Wednesday and maintained its upbeat consumer inflation forecasts, encouraged by signs that a broadening economic recovery may nudge firms into spending more on wages and investment.
As widely expected, the BOJ voted unanimously to maintain its pledge of increasing base money, or cash and deposits at the central bank, at an annual pace of 60 trillion to 70 trillion yen ($575-671 billion).