The Bank of Japan checked foreign exchange rates on Thursday as part of its vigilance on markets but does not have specific levels in mind when it watches the market, a senior official from the central bank said.

Rate checks are part of our intention to closely watch currency market moves, Bank of Japan Executive Director Hiroshi Nakaso, in charge of international affairs, told reporters.

He also said that an earlier statement by the central bank governor Masaaki Shirakawa was not meant as verbal intervention. (Reporting by Rie Ishiguro; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)