Japan's Nikkei 225 index closed more than 1% higher after the Bank of Japan left interest rates unchanged at its final policy meeting of the year. The BOJ kept its negative interest rate of -0.1% and yield curve control policy. The central bank continued its negative interest rate policy and upheld its yield curve control policy without any changes. The Japanese yen depreciated by 0.6% against the US dollar following the announcement, trading at 143.70.