1st LD Writethru: Japan's central bank keeps policy rate unchanged, revises economic growth forecasts up

TOKYO, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Bank of Japan (BOJ) left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 0.75 percent after concluding its two-day policy meeting on Friday.

The decision, widely expected, came after the central bank raised its key rate at its December meeting from 0.5 percent to 0.75 percent, the highest level in 30 years.

The BOJ also released the latest Outlook for Economic Activity and Prices,