TOKYO - Japan business leaders expressed their concerns over a weaker yen after the central bank decided to keep the monetary policy unchanged, while the Japanese currency plunged to a fresh low over the weekend.

The Japanese yen on Friday weakened to a new low since May 1990 around the 158-yen range against the US dollar in New York, after the Bank of Japan (BOJ) on Friday decided to keep guiding short-term interest rates in a range of zero and 0.1 percent.

As Japan's national golden week unfolded on Saturday, the feeble yen is becoming a headache for Japanese travelers while a boon for many foreign visitors

The announcement weakened the country's currency against the dollar to multiple new lows, and it is widely believed among market watchers that the interest-rate gap between the United States and Japan is likely to remain for the time being.

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Business leaders in Japan have increased calls on the country's central bank to make an adjustment after the yen fell further against the dollar on Friday, national broadcaster NHK reported.

As Japan's national golden week unfolded on Saturday, the feeble yen is becoming a headache for Japanese travelers while a boon for many foreign visitors.

During the holiday that runs through May 6, more Japanese holidaymakers cite growing economic challenges compared to last year, local media reports showed.

Some 23.3 million people in Japan, roughly 90 percent of pre-pandemic levels, are expected to travel during the holidays, but more than 70 percent of respondents are choosing not to take overnight trips, NHK reported, citing a survey by major travel agency JTB.

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Meanwhile, many inbound tourists told local media outlets that the yen's depreciation is making it easier for them to go shopping and sightseeing in Japan.