21-February-2026
Economy News
 
Japan's Core Inflation Slows to 2-Year Low, Complicates BOJ Rate-Hike Timing
20-Feb-2026

Japan's annual core consumer inflation hit a two-year low to match the central bank's 2% target in January, data showed on Friday, suggesting weakening price pressure that could complicate its decision on how soon to raise interest rates. A separate index seen as a better indicator of underlying inflation also slowed but remained well above the Bank of Japan's target, suggesting that solid wage gains will keep the central bank on course to push up still-low borrowing costs.

News Source:- https://money.usnews.com/investing/news/articles/2026-02-19/japans-core-inflation-slows-to-2-year-low-complicates-boj-rate-hike-timing