Japan national CPI core slipped back to 0.9% yoy in March, down from February’s 1.0% yoy, meeting market expectations. It will take a few more months to see if it’s only a blip or a change in trend. Core inflation had an impressive up this year but momentum has been slowing. It’s already looking a be challenging for inflation to meet BoJ’s own media projection of 1.4% in the current fiscal year. And BoJ might need to delay the timing for hitting 2% target again, if the slowdown in inflation persists.
Separately, BoJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda stepped up his warning on protectionism, as he arrived at the G20 summit of finance ministers and central bankers. He said there will be “quite comprehensive” debate on trade during the meeting. And he emphasized that “many countries share the view they benefit greatly from free trade, so I don’t think protectionism will spread and lead to a decline in global growth. But the risk is there.” He added that “protectionism isn’t having a huge impact on Japan’s economy yet. But the risk is right in front of us, so we need to carefully watch how developments unfold.”
