The CPI data is here: Japan headline National CPI (September) 0.7% y/y (vs. expected 0.7%)
Reuters with a recap up now:
- Most of September's scant inflation was driven by continued rises in energy costs, which were partly offset by falling cellphone bills - another sign that companies still baulk at raising prices for fear of stalling a fragile recovery in private consumption.
- Still, the Bank of Japan is set to largely maintain its current inflation forecasts at a policy meeting next week, blaming stagnant inflation on factors such as corporate efforts to boost productivity.
