Japan consumer inflation slows but stays above central bank's target

Japan's consumer price inflation eased in the last month of 2025, though price growth stayed above the central bank's goal, official data showed Friday.

According to the Statistics Bureau of Japan, the national consumer price index rose 2.1% year-on-year in December from 2.9% in November, still slightly higher than the Bank of Japan's 2% annual inflation target.

Core CPI, which excludes volatile fresh food prices grew 2.4% in December from 3.0% the previous month, matching the consensus forecast cited by FXStreet.

Meanwhile core CPI excluding fresh food and energy increased 2.9% in December from 3.0% in November.

The figures came ahead of the BoJ's interest rate decision at 0300 GMT on Friday where policymakers are widely expected to keep the rates steady.

The CPI is calculated using a basket of goods and services that reflect household consumption expenditure in Japan.