39 | Friday, September 19, 2025TOKYO (AP) — Japan's central bank kept its key interest rate unchanged at 0.5% Friday, in a decision that was widely expected, given recent inflation trends that have stayed above target. The Bank of Japan issued its decision on the overnight call rate after a two-day meeting by its policy board. Recent government data show consumer prices rising above the central bank's target of 2%, at between 2.5% and 3%. The Bank of Japan noted exports will be hit by higher tariffs, which have come about because of U.S. President Donald Trump's policies. The Japanese stock market has been booming recently, with the benchmark Nikkei 225 hitting another record Thursday, cheered by the Fed's rate cut.