Japan Inflation Accelerates In March

(RTTNews) - Japan consumer price inflation accelerated in March despite measures taken by government to curb oil prices, data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications showed Friday.

Core inflation, which strips out fresh food prices, increased to 1.8 percent from 1.6 percent in the prior month.

Headline inflation rose to 1.5 percent in March from 1.3 percent in February.

Meanwhile, inflation that excludes prices of fresh food and energy softened to 2.4 percent from February's 2.5 percent.

Even after policy effects, price pressures are strengthening and broadening, ING economist Min Joo Kang said. "We still see an April hike possible if the BoJ gives priority to preventing inflation expectations from accelerating," the economist added.