Japan central bank ups asset buys to aid economy

TOKYO (AP) - Japan's central bank expanded a government bond-buying programme on Tuesday, acting to spur growth following news of a further decline in industrial production.

The Bank of Japan's policy board voted unanimously to increase the asset purchasing programme by 11 trillion yen (S$169 billion) to 91 trillion yen.

The central bank decided against any change in its key interest rate, which remains at 0 per cent to 0.1 per cent.

The bond-buying programme is intended to encourage borrowing and spending and help make Japan's exports more competitive.