Bank of Japan Votes 8-1 to Maintain Easing

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) board voted 8 to 1 to continue expanding its monetary base by 80 trillion yen annually, following Japan's recent recession. Meanwhile, a Bloomberg poll indicates the Bank of England is unlikely to raise its key benchmark rate until after the UK general election, with 92% of economists surveyed expecting rates to remain at a record low until after May 7th. In UK politics, the UK Independence Party (UKIP) is poised to gain its second member of Parliament as candidate Mark Reckless, who defected from the Conservative Party, leads in opinion polls ahead of a byelection.

What was the Central Bank's decision regarding its monetary base expansion?

• To stop the expansion altogether

• To maintain it at the current level

• To reduce it by 80 trillion yen a year

• To expand it by 80 trillion yen a year

How did the voting outcome for the Central Bank's monetary policy decision compare to the previous month?

• It was a tie

• It was a closer decision with a 5 to 4 vote

• It was a 9 to 0 decision

• It was a unanimous decision

According to a Bloomberg poll, when is the Bank of England expected to raise its key benchmark rate?

• Before the UK general election

• After the UK general election

• At the end of the year

• In the next month

What percentage of economists believe the Bank of England's rate will remain at a record low until after the election?

• 100%

• 92%

• 75%

• 50%

Who is the UKIP candidate leading in the by-election opinion polls?

• Nigel Farage

• Mark Reckless

• Boris Johnson

• David Cameron