0439 GMT - Government data released Friday showed Japan's consumer prices are on track toward the Bank of Japan's goal of achieving stable 2% inflation but it wasn't strong enough to put the BOJ in a rush to the next interest-rate hike, SMBC Nikko Securities economists say in a research note. They expect the BOJ to raise interest rates in the July-September quarter. Overall consumer prices rose 4% on year in January, growing at their fastest pace in two years. The slightly slower rise in rent is worrisome but the pace of increases is expected to start picking up again, the economists say. (megumi.fujikawa@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
February 20, 2025 23:39 ET (04:39 GMT)
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