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Japan Inflation Rate Hits 8-Month High
Japan's consumer price inflation rose to 0.8 percent year-on-year in December 2019 from 0.5 percent in the previous month, above market consensus of 0.4 percent. This was the highest rate since April, as food prices rose the most in 14 months (1.9 percent vs 1.5 percent in November) and housing inflation stood at the highest level for over two decades (at 0.8 percent). In addition, transport cost increased for the first time in 13 months (0.8 percent vs -0.5 percent) and culture & recreation inflation hit a near five-year high (2.8 percent vs 2.3 percent). Meantime, annual core consumer inflation, which excludes fresh food, rose to 0.7 percent in December, the highest since May, but below the Bank of Japan's 2 percent target. The so-called core-core inflation index, which excludes fresh food and energy prices, grew 0.9 percent, the fastest pace since March 2016. Considering 2019 full year, inflation rate averaged 0.5 percent, down from 1 percent in 2018.
Published on 2020-01-24

Japan Inflation Rate Climbs to 0.5% in November
Japan's consumer price inflation rose to 0.5 percent year-on-year in November 2019 from 0.2 percent in the previous month and above market consensus of 0.2 percent. This was the highest rate in four months, as food and housing prices rose increased faster while transport deflation eased. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.2 percent.
Published on 2019-12-19

Japan Inflation Rate Stays at 7-Month Low in October
Japan's consumer price inflation stood at 0.2 percent year-on-year in October of 2019, unchanged from September and below market expectations of 0.3 percent. It remained the lowest inflation rate since February despite a sales tax hike during the month, with fuel prices falling for the first time in 31 months and cost of transport declining for the eleventh straight month. On a seasonally adjusted basis, consumer prices were flat for the third straight month.
Published on 2019-11-21

Japan Inflation Falls to 7-Month Low
Japan's consumer price inflation fell to 0.2 percent year-on-year in September 2019 from 0.3 percent in the previous month and well below market expectations of 0.4 percent. It was the lowest inflation rate in seven months, mainly pushed down by lower gasoline prices. The latest reading raises the chances of further stimulus after the Bank of Japan decided to leave policy unchanged during its September meeting but left the window wide open for easing, calling for a review of prices and the economy in October. Annual core consumer inflation, which excludes fresh food, was at 0.3 percent in August, the lowest since April 2017.
Published on 2019-10-17

Japan Inflation Rate Falls to 6-Month Low
Japan's consumer price inflation fell to 0.3 percent year-on-year in August 2019 from 0.5 percent in the previous month and well below market expectations of 0.6 percent. It was the lowest inflation rate in six months, raising the chances of further stimulus after the Bank of Japan decided to leave policy unchanged during its September meeting but left the window wide open for easing, calling for a review of prices and the economy in October. Annual core consumer inflation, which excludes fresh food, was at 0.5 percent in August, the lowest in over two years.
Published on 2019-09-20

Japan Inflation Rate Slows to 4-Month Low in July
Japan's consumer price inflation fell to 0.5 percent year-on-year in July 2019 from 0.7 percent in the previous month and in line with market expectations. It was the lowest inflation rate since March, amid a slowdown in food prices and a fall for the eighth consecutive month in cost of transport and communication. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, consumer prices rose by 0.1 percent in July, following a flat reading in the previous two months.
Published on 2019-08-22

Japan Inflation Rate Unchanged at 0.7% in June
Japan's consumer price inflation came in at 0.7 percent year-on-year in June 2019, unchanged from the previous month and matching market expectations. A faster rise in cost of food and housing was offset by a steeper decline in prices of transport and communication. The annual core consumer inflation, which excludes fresh food, fell to 0.6 percent, the lowest since July 2017, from 0.8 percent in May. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, consumer prices were flat for the second consecutive month.
Published on 2019-07-18

Japan Inflation Rate Slows to 0.7% in May
Japan's consumer price inflation fell to 0.7 percent year-on-year in May 2019 from a six month-high of 0.9 percent in the prior month and in line with market consensus. The slowdown in headline inflation was mainly led by electricity, transportation & communication and housing. Meanwhile, prices of food rose for the second straight month. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, consumer prices were unchanged in May, after a 0.1 percent gain in April.
Published on 2019-06-20

Japan April Inflation Rate Hits 6-Month High of 0.9%
Japan's consumer price inflation rose to 0.9 percent year-on-year in April 2019 from 0.5 percent in the previous month and in line with market consensus. It was the highest inflation rate since October last year, with prices of food surging following declines in the prior four months. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, consumer prices increased by 0.1 percent, after remaining unchanged in the prior two months.
Published on 2019-05-23

Japan March Inflation Rate Rises to 4-Month High of 0.5%
Japan's consumer price inflation rose to 0.5 percent year-on-year in March 2019 from 0.2 percent in the previous month and in line with market consensus. It was the highest inflation rate since November last year, as cost of both food and transport declined at a softer pace. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, consumer prices were unchanged in March, the same as in February.
Published on 2019-04-18

Japan February Inflation Rate Weaker than Expected
Japan's consumer price inflation stood at 0.2 percent year-on-year in February 2019, unchanged from the previous month's 15-month low and below market expectations of 0.3 percent. Prices of both food and transportation & communication fell for a third month in a row, while housing costs were flat.
Published on 2019-03-21

Japan Inflation Rate Slows to 15-Month Low
Japan's consumer price inflation inched lower to 0.2 percent year-on-year in January 2019 from 0.3 percent in the previous month and in line with market expectations. It was the lowest inflation rate since October 2017, amid further decreases in prices of food, transport and housing. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose by 0.3 percent in January, following a 0.2 percent drop in December and marking the first monthly increase in three months.
Published on 2019-02-21

Japan Inflation Rate Slows to 14-Month Low
Japan's consumer price inflation eased to 0.3 percent year-on-year in December 2018 from 0.8 percent in the previous month, in line with market expectations. It was the lowest inflation rate since October 2017, mainly due to declines in cost of food, housing and transport. Annual core consumer inflation rate, which excludes fresh food, slowed to a seven-month low of 0.7 percent in December from 0.9 percent in November, missing market expectations of 0.8 percent. The figure came in well below the Bank of Japan's 2 percent target ahead of next week's policy meeting. In 2018, the average inflation rate was 1 percent.
Published on 2019-01-17

Japan Inflation Rate Slows to 5-Month Low
Japan's consumer price inflation eased to a 5-month low of 0.8 percent year-on-year in November 2018 from 1.4 percent in the previous month, in line with market expectations. Food and transport prices rose at a slower pace while housing costs continued to fall. On a monthly basis, consumer prices declined 0.2 percent in November, the first monthly drop since April, after a 0.2 percent rise in October.
Published on 2018-12-20

Japan Inflation Rate Rises to 8-Month High in October
Japan's consumer price inflation rose to 1.4 percent year-on-year in October 2018 from 1.2 percent in the previous month and matching market estimates. It was the highest rate since February, mainly due to a jump in prices of food. Core inflation rate, which excludes fresh food, stood at 1 percent, unchanged from the previous month and in line with expectations. It remained the highest figure since February. On a monthly basis, consumer prices went up 0.2 percent in October, after being unchanged in September.
Published on 2018-11-21

Japan Inflation Rate Edges Down to 1.2% YoY
Japan's annual inflation rate edged down to 1.2 percent in September 2018 from 1.3 percent in the previous month, mainly due to lower prices of food.
Published on 2018-10-18

Japan Inflation Rate Rises to 6-Month High in August
Japan's consumer price inflation rose to 1.3 percent year-on-year in August 2018 from 0.9 percent in the previous month and above market consensus of 1.1 percent. It was the highest rate since February, due to a jump in prices of food and a faster rise in cost of transport. On a monthly basis, consumer prices went up by 0.5 percent in August, after a 0.3 percent rise in July and reaching the highest monthly figure since November 2017.
Published on 2018-09-20

Japan Inflation Rate Unexpectedly Climbs to 4-Month High
Japan's consumer price inflation rose to 0.9 percent year-on-year in July 2018 from 0.7 percent in the previous month and far above market consensus of 0.4 percent. It was the highest rate since March, mainly due to a jump in food prices. Core inflation rate, which excludes fresh food, came in at 0.8 percent in July, unchanged from the previous month's three month high but slightly below estimates of 0.9 percent. On a monthly basis, consumer prices went up by 0.3 percent, after a 0.1 percent rise in June and reaching the highest monthly figure since January.
Published on 2018-08-23

Japan June Inflation Rate Weaker than Estimated
Japan's consumer price inflation stood at 0.7 percent year-on-year in June of 2018, unchanged from the previous month and below market consensus of 0.8 percent. Food inflation hit its lowest since a deflation in last November while cost of transport rose at a faster pace and cost of housing continued to fall. Core inflation rate, which excludes fresh food, rose to 0.8 percent from 0.7 percent in May and in line with estimates. It is the highest figure since March. On a monthly basis, consumer prices went up by 0.1 percent, the same as in the prior month.
Published on 2018-07-19

Japan May Inflation Rate Higher than Estimated
Japan's consumer price inflation rose to 0.7 percent year-on-year in May of 2018 from 0.6 percent in the prior month and well above market consensus of 0.3 percent. Prices increased at a faster pace for food and transport while cost fell less for housing. Core inflation rate, which excludes fresh food, came in at 0.7 percent, the same as in April and in line with estimates. It remained the lowest figure since September 2017. On a monthly basis, consumer prices went up by 0.1 percent, compared to a 0.4 percent fall in the preceding month and marking the first monthly rise in three months.
Published on 2018-06-21