Japan's core inflation cooled to 3.3% in June, coming down from a 29-month high of 3.7% as rice inflation showed signs of easing. The figure — which strips out costs for fresh food — was in line with the 3.3% expected by economists polled by Reuters. Headline inflation in the country dropped to 3.3%, coming down from 3.5% in May.

Japan's core inflation slowed in June but stayed above the central bank's 2% target for well over three years, highlighting lingering price pressures that back market expectations for further interest rate rises.

TOKYO] Japan’s key price measure cooled a tad more than expected while remaining well above the Bank of Japan’s (BOJ) target, keeping pressure on Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to mollify voters as he heads into Sunday’s (Jul 20) national election.

Voters angry at inflation turned to other parties, notably the "Japanese first" Sanseito, which made strong gains with its "anti-globalist" drive reminiscent of US President Donald Trump's agenda.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Monday stressed the need to establish a common understanding among parties on the pros and cons of cutting the country's sales tax rate.

Rice prices in Japan soared 99.2% in June year-on-year, official data showed today, piling further pressure on Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba ahead of elections this weekend.

Japan’s inability to lift inflation is “one of the biggest unsolved challenges in the profession,” said Mark Gertler, a professor of economics at New York University who has studied the issue.

The election Sunday is about inflation that has been running between 3.5 percent and 4 percent.