MNI POLICY: BOJ Leaves Unchanged JGB Buying Frequency in Apr>

     TOKYO (MNI) - The Bank of Japan said Friday it has decided to leave 

the frequency of its Japanese government bond purchases in April 

unchanged from March, indicating there is no need to guide any 

particular bond yields higher or lower.

     The BOJ left unchanged its purchase plans for other JGB maturity 

zone.

     But the BOJ "may increase the frequency as needed" and "will 

conduct purchases in a flexible manner, taking account of market 

conditions."

     The BOJ's schedule sees it refrain from conducting JGB buying 

operations on days when the Ministry of Finance holds auctions for JGBs 

or the BOJ board holds policy meetings.

--CALENDAR

The planned JGB purchase operations in April:

The zones (amounts to be purchased in ranges)

--1 to 3 years (Y250-Y450 bln in Apr. vs. Y250-Y450 bln in Mar.)

--3 to 5 years (Y300-Y550 bln in Apr. vs. Y300-Y550 bln in Mar.)

--5 to 10 years (Y300-Y650 bln in Apr. vs. Y300-Y650 bln in Mar.)

--10 to 25 years (Y150-Y250 bln in Apr. vs. Y150-250 bln in Mar.)

--More than 25 years (Y10-Y100 bln in Apr. vs. Y10-Y100 bln in Mar.)

The frequencies of operations in each zone in Apr plans vs Mar actual.

--1 to 3 years: 4 times (4 times)

--3 to 5 years: 4 times (4 times)

--5 to 10 years: 4 times (4 times)

--10 to 25 years: 4 times (4 times)

--More than 25 years: 4 times (4 times)

The dates of operations

Apr. 3: 1 to 3 years, 3 to 5 years, 5 to 10 years.

Apr. 8: 10 to 25 years, more than 25 years.

Apr. 10: 5 to 10 years.

Apr. 12: 1 to 3 years, 3 to 5 years, 10 to 25 years, more than 25 years.

Apr. 17: 5 to 10 years.

Apr. 19: 1 to 3 years, 3 to 5 years, 10 to 25 years, more than 25 years.

Apr. 24: 1 to 3 years, 3 to 5 years, 10 to 25 years, more than 25 years.

Apr. 26: 5 to 10 years.