The Bank of Japan on Thursday raised its forecast for the nation's real economic growth for fiscal 2010 to 2.6 percent from 1.8 percent projected in April, as stronger-than-expected demand in emerging countries has boosted exports and production.

During its two-day policy meeting that ended the same day, the BOJ also maintained its economic assessment with a statement issued after the meeting saying the country is seeing "further signs of a moderate recovery."

The central bank left its key interest rate unchanged at 0.1 percent as part of efforts to overcome deflation.