Japan Inflation Remains Stickier Than Expected, Threatens Crypto Prices
Just when it appeared that the yen scare could be easing, Japan has reported an uptick in core inflation.
Data released early Friday showed Japan’s core inflation, which stripes out prices for fresh food, rose 3% year-on-year in February, moderating from January’s 3.2% but beating the consensus forecast for 2.9%. The headline consumer price index eased to 3.7% from 4%.
Overall, both indices remained well above the Bank of Japan’s 2% inflation target, validating the central bank chief Haruhiko Kuroda’s declaration of victory over decades of deflation. Notably, since November, Japan’s headline inflation has been running hotter than that of the U.S.—almost 100 basis points (bps) higher now.
The sticky inflation, plus wage hikes from the…
