Japan CPI core (all item ex-fresh food) rose to 0.4% yoy in October, up from 0.3%, matched expectations. All item CPI was unchanged at 0.2% yoy, missed expectation of 0.3% yoy. CPI core-core (all item ex-fresh food, energy), rose to 0.7%, up from 0.5%, beat expectation of 0.6% yoy.
The inflation subdued inflation reading suggests that the sales tax hike in the month had little impact on prices, and is unlikely o derail consumer spending. Yet the core inflation reading remains well below BoJ’s 2% target. The central will need to maintain ultra-loose monetary policy for a prolonged period. But even so, there is little evidence to show that inflation could sustainably hit the target with current stimulus.
