Japan national CPI (all items) slowed to 0.7% yoy in May, down from 0.9% yoy and matched expectations. CPI core (all items, less fresh food) slowed to 0.8% yoy in May, down from 0.9% yoy, but beat expectation of 0.7% yoy. CPI core-core (all items, less fresh food and energy) slowed to 0.5% yoy, down form 0.6% yoy, matched expectations.
BoJ left monetary policies unchanged yesterday. But Governor Haruhiko Kuroda pledged to ramp up stimulus “without hesitation” if the economy loses momentum. There are speculations that BoJ could act as early as in July, given that ECB and Fed have both turned more dovish this week. For the very least, BoJ could change its forward guidance and pledge to keep interest rates low longer.
Yen strengthens mildly today as lead by decline in USD/JPY. EUR/JPY is also a touch lower for 120.78 low. Break will resume larger decline from 127.50.
