Singapore shares opened under pressure on Friday as investors held a cautious view over interest rates by central banks globally, with the Bank of Japan scheduled to give its decision later in the day.

The Straits Times Index was down 0.70%, or 39.79 points, to open at 5,633.790.

The US Federal Reserve and the Bank of England left interest rates unchanged; the focus will now be on the Bank of Japan.

All 52 economists surveyed by Bloomberg forecast the Bank of Japan will keep its key interest rates unchanged on Friday, and investors will keenly watch for any signals from Governor Kazuo Ueda on the next rate increase.