Japan's central bank has decided to hold its current near-zero key policy rate after a surprise easing last month. Meanwhile, it’s expanding a separate loan scheme targeted at strengthening economic growth, by two trillion yen, or about 24 billion U.S. dollars.After an unanimous vote, the Policy Board of the Bank of Japan announced it would keep the key policy rate at around zero to one-tenth of a percent. The central bank cites positive signals from international economies such as the U.S. and Europe, while some improvement in the domestic economy, including a moderate increase in domestic demand. It also notes the global financial markets have regained some stability.