MNI BRIEF: Japan's Trimmed Mean Hits Record 3.1% in Dec - BOJ
Japan’s trimmed mean measure of underlying inflation rose 3.1% y/y in December, a fresh record high pace as pass-through of cost increases continued, data released by the Bank of Japan on Tuesday showed.
The trimmed mean accelerated from the previous high of 2.9% in November, and comes after data released on Friday showed Japan's annual core consumer inflation rate quickened to 4.0% y/y in December, up from November’s 3.7% and the highest level since December 1981 when it rose 4.0%. (See MNI BRIEF: Japan's Dec Core CPI Rises 4%; Highest In 41 Years)
Tuesday's data showed the mode, which is the inflation rate with the highest density in the distribution, rose 1.6% y/y in December, marking a fresh record high for a sixth consecutive month, following a 1.5% rise in November. The mode-based measure of underlying inflation is below the BOJ's 2% price target.
The BOJ maintains the view that the year-on-year rise of core CPI will fall below 2% in fiscal 2023, thereby requiring continued easy policy to support the economy and to create an environment for firms to raise wages. The board’s median forecasts for core inflation rate in fiscal 2023 and 2024 are 1.6% and 1.8%, respectively.