We report the result of our near-infrared survey of short-period variable stars (P<60d) in a field of view of 20'x30' towards the Galactic Centre (GC). Forty-five variables are discovered and we classify the variables based on their light-curve shapes and other evidence. In addition to 3 classical Cepheids reported previously, we find 16 type II Cepheids, 24 eclipsing binaries, 1 pulsating star with P=0.265d (RR Lyr or {delta} Sct) and 1 Cepheid-like variable whose nature is uncertain. Eclipsing binaries are separated into the foreground objects and those significantly obscured by interstellar extinction. One of the reddened binaries contains an O-type supergiant and its light curve indicates an eccentric orbit. We discuss the nature and distribution of type II Cepheids as well as the distance to the GC based on these Cepheids and other distance indicators. The estimates of R_0_(GC) we obtained based on photometric data agree with previous results obtained with kinematics of objects around the GC. Furthermore, our result gives support to the reddening law obtained by Nishiyama and collaborators, A_Ks_/E(H-Ks)=1.44, because a different reddening law would result in a rather different distance estimate.

Cone search capability for table J/MNRAS/429/385/table2 (The catalogue of short-period variables detected towards the GC)

Cone search capability for table J/MNRAS/429/385/table7 (2MASS counterparts for the OGLE-III type-II Cepheids (T2Cs) in the bulge)