BOJ keeps rates steady at 0.5 pct by 8-1 vote

TOKYO, Oct 31 (Reuters) - The Bank of Japan kept its policy
rate target unchanged at 0.50 percent on Wednesday as expected,
reflecting caution among central bankers over market uncertainty
and fallout from problems in the U.S. subprime mortgage sector.

The decision by the BOJ's nine-member board was by a vote of
8-1, with board member Atsushi Mizuno dissenting.

The central bank has kept monetary policy on hold since
raising the key overnight call rate target from 0.25 percent in
February, which was the first hike since July last year.

The BOJ will release its twice-yearly economic and price
outlook report at 3 p.m. (0600 GMT) and the central bank
governor, Toshihiko Fukui, will hold a news conference from 3:30
p.m. (0630 GMT)