Japan: Core inflation inches up in October
The core consumer price index increased 0.3% in month-on-month seasonally-adjusted terms in October, following September’s 0.1% rise. The uptick mostly reflected the introduction of a sales tax hike on 1 October.
Core inflation inched up from 0.3% in September to 0.4% in October. The increase matched the reading that market analysts had expected. Therefore, inflation remained well below the Bank of Japan’s inflation target of 2.0%. Meanwhile, overall inflation stabilized at September’s 0.2% in October.
Core inflation in the Ku-area of Tokyo registered 0.5% in October. Data for November will be released on 29 November.