Japan's key stock index rises for 3rd day

TOKYO, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Japan's key stock index rose for the third consecutive session on Wednesday as market sentiment was supported by reports suggesting the Bank of Japan (BOJ) may maintain its current monetary policy at its December meeting.

The benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, gained 27.53 points, or 0.07 percent, to close at 39,276.39.

Investors speculated that the