Japanese land prices rose for the second straight year in the year to July with the increase spreading beyond big cities, a government survey showed, a sign the benefits from the central bank's ultra-low interest rate policy are broadening.

* Regional commercial land prices rebound; 1st time in 28 years

The Japanese yen rallied on Thursday after the Bank of Japan kept interest rates on hold, while the dollar struggled to move higher despite the Federal Reserve offering mixed signals about the path for further easing.

Japanese banks are welcoming the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) decision to keep monetary policy steady instead of deepening negative interest rates which could further squeeze banks' profits, the head of the country's banking lobby said on Thursday.

* Norway's crown, British pound steady before c.bank meetings

* BOJ more eager to act given heightened global risks - Kuroda (Adds Kuroda quotes from news conference)

Japanese shares rallied to close in on this year's peaks on Thursday, with domestic demand-led shares leading gains after a rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve helped boost risk sentiment.

The Bank of Japan kept monetary policy steady on Thursday but signalled the chance of expanding stimulus as early as its next policy meeting in October by issuing a stronger warning over the risks threatening the economy.

Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda delivers his post-policy meeting press conference. Japanese language only.

Japan scrumhalf Yutaka Nagare admitted that he and some of the other Brave Blossoms players are feeling the nerves ahead of the opening match of the Rugby World Cup against Russia on Friday.