BOJ keeps rates steady at 0.5 pct by 9-0 vote

TOKYO, Dec 20 (Reuters) - The Bank of Japan left its policy rate target unchanged at 0.50 percent on Thursday as expected, with the global credit crisis and a dip in domestic business confidence keeping the central bank cautious.

The decision by the nine-member board was by a vote of 9-0, with board member Atsushi Mizuno dropping a call he had maintained since July for a hike in rates.

The BOJ has kept monetary policy on hold since raising the key overnight call rate target from 0.25 percent in February.

The central bank will release its monthly economic report at 3 p.m. (0600 GMT) and its governor, Toshihiko Fukui, will hold a news conference from 3:30 p.m. (0630 GMT) (Reporting by Hideyuki Sano)