(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 28 apr - Japanese shares closed lower, after the Bank of Japan decided to keep its monetary policy unchanged, underlining growing fears that inflation is being fueled by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The central bank raised its inflation forecasts while lowering GDP growth projections for fiscal year 2026 to 0.5%, down from the previously expected 1.0%. The BoJ noted that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and soaring oil prices, which remain well above 100 dollars per barrel, are weighing on corporate profits and eroding households' real income.

Losses were led by the tech and industrial stocks, as the.

Nikkei 225 index closed down 1.02% at 59,917.46 points.

(RADIOCOR) 28-04-26 09:07:15 (0200) 5 NNNN