Japan’s core inflation hits highest in over two years, boosting chances of year-end BOJ rate hike

Japan’s core inflation surged at its fastest annual rate in more than two years in April, increasing pressure on the Bank of Japan to consider raising interest rates by year-end. The core CPI, which excludes fresh food but includes oil prices, rose 3.5% year-on-year, above expectations and up from 3.2% in March, highlighting the challenge of managing rising prices amid external trade tensions.