Nikkei pares gains as BOJ stands pat

Falls 3.5% this month, the fourth consecutive month of decline

Japanese shares pared much of their early gains in choppy trade on Wednesday after the Bank of Japan affirmed its existing policies, disappointing some speculators who had bet on the outside chance of a surprise easing.

The Nikkei ended up 0.1% at 14,304.11, after rising 0.9% earlier on the back of positive earnings guidance. It fell 3.5% this month, the fourth consecutive month of declines.

After the cash market closed, Nikkei futures fell 0.4% as the Bank of Japan maintained its bullish economic forecast, dampening speculation of a near-term monetary easing.

The broader Topix ended 0.2% up at 1,162.44, with trading volume exceeding the average of the past 20 sessions. The new JPX-Nikkei Index 400 rose 0.2% to 10,588.03.