BOJ launches new loan scheme, extends deadline for virus-combating steps by six months

TOKYO (Reuters) - The Bank of Japan decided on Friday to launch a new lending facility that aims to channel more funds to small and midsize businesses suffering from the economic blow of the coronavirus pandemic. In an emergency policy meeting, the central bank also extended the deadline for a series of measures it has deployed to combat the virus fallout, including accelerated corporate debt buying, by six months to March 2021.