The yen fell amid volatile trade on Friday after the Bank of Japan (BOJ) maintained its accommodative monetary policy stance at the conclusion of its two-day policy meeting, while Asian shares rose elsewhere. The BOJ kept its short-term rates steady on Friday, as expected, while removing a reference to the amount of government bonds it has roughly committed to buying each month. The Japanese yen fell shortly after the announcement to the weaker side of 156 per dollar, marking a fresh 34-year trough.