BOJ ready to leave intervention unsterilised-sources

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TOKYO, Sept 16 (Reuters) - The Bank of Japan is ready to hold off draining funds that went into the currency market through the government's yen-selling intervention, sources familiar with the matter said.

Japan stepped into the currency market on Wednesday for the first time in six years, selling yen to stem a rise that is threatening a fragile economic recovery. [ID:nTOE68E02W]

In a statement issued shortly after the action, Governor Masaaki Shirakawa said the BOJ will continue to provide ample liquidity to financial markets.

That phrase means the central bank is willing to hold off draining yen funds from currency intervention in its money market operations, the sources said. (Reporting by Leika Kihara; Editing by Michael Watson)