Japan headline CPI rose from 3.0% to 3.7% yoy in October, above expectation of 2.7% yoy. CPI core (all item ex-fresh food) rose from 3.0% to 3.6% yoy, above expectation of 3.5% yoy. That’s the highest level in 40 years since 1982. CPI core-core (all item ex-fresh food and energy) rose from 1.8% yoy to 2.5% yoy, above expectation of 1.9% yoy.
BoJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said that core inflation was rising “quite a bit” but he expects it to slow back to below 2% in the next fiscal year.
“Raising interest rates now could delay Japan’s economic recovery,” Kuroda told the parliament. “I’m not saying the BOJ cannot raise rates indefinitely. I’m saying that it’s inappropriate to raise rates now, in light of current economic and price developments.”
“It’s difficult to sustainably achieve our 2% inflation target unless nominal wages rise steadily,” Kuroda said. “We’ll continue with our monetary easing to support the economy and achieve our 2% inflation target in a sustained, stable fashion backed by wage growth.
