Both headline and core inflation Japanese rose to 3.0% year-on-year in October (vs 2.9% in September, 3.0% market consensus). Food prices rose the most, 6.4%, while entertainment and transportation/communication also rose solidly by 2.6% and 3.6%, respectively. Utilities continued to rise as the government subsidy program ended.
On a monthly basis, inflation rose by 0.4% month-on-month, seasonally adjusted, driven by goods and services rising 0.3% and 0.4% each. Typically, companies adjust final prices in October, and they are clearly passing increased input costs on to consumers. This development is likely welcomed by the BoJ, which seeks a virtuous cycle between solid wage growth and sustained inflation.