TOKYO, March 9 (Xinhua) -- The Bank of Japan (BOJ) on Friday opted to maintain its aggressive monetary easing program as it continues to work towards hitting its lofty 2 percent inflation target.

The central bank's policy board members voted at the end of a two-day meeting to continue with its yield curve control comprising an interest rate of minus 0.1 percent.

The BOJ also opted to keep its government bond purchases at the same level, which are aimed at steering the 10-year yield to around zero percent.

Government bonds would continue to be purchased at a pace that will increase its holdings by an annual 80 trillion yen (750 billion U.S. dollars), the central bank also decided.

The BOJ will also maintain its purchases of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other risky assets.