Consumer prices in Japan were up 2.3 percent on year in March, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said on Friday.
That exceeded forecasts for 2.2 percent, which would have been unchanged from the February reading.
Core inflation, which strips out the volatile costs of food, advanced 2.2 percent – topping expectations for 2.0 percent, which also would have been unchanged.
On a monthly basis, both overall and core CPI were up 0.4 percent.
Inflation in the Tokyo region – considered a leading indicator for the nationwide trend – was up 0.7 percent on year in April. That was in line with expectations, and down sharply from 2.3 percent in March.
Core inflation was up just 0.4 percent on year in Tokyo, shy or forecasts for 0.5 percent and down from 2.2 percent a month earlier.
On a monthly basis, overall inflation was up 0.4 percent and core CPI added 0.2 percent.
The material has been provided by InstaForex Company – www.instaforex.com