Roundup: Japan's Nikkei ends sharply higher after BOJ maintains policy

TOKYO, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index climbed to a one-month high Wednesday after the decision of the Bank of Japan (BOJ) to stay pat on its monetary policy sent the yen lower versus the U.S. dollar.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average climbed 652.44 points, or 2.50 percent, from Tuesday to close the day at 26,791.12, marking its highest closing level since Dec. 19.

The broader To