BOJ raises interest rates for first time in 6 years

TOKYO, July 14 (Reuters) The Bank of Japan raised interest rates for the first time in six years on Friday but said very low rates would probably be maintained for some time.

As widely expected, the BOJ's nine-member Policy Board decided to lift the overnight call rate target to 0.25 percent from around zero. The decision was unanimous.

It also decided to raise the official discount rate to 0.4 percent from 0.1 percent by a vote of 6-3.

REUTERS CS KN1140