MNI DATA BRIEF: Firms See Slightly Higher Prices: BOJ Tankan

Japanese firms expect slightly higher prices over a 1-to-5-year timeframe compared to three months earlier, easing some Bank of Japan concerns over weaker corporate inflation views, the latest Tankan survey showed on Thursday.

On average, companies saw the annual consumer inflation rate at 0.6% a year from now, up from 0.4% in March. They also saw a 0.9% rise three years out and a 1.1% rise five years ahead, up from +0.8% and +1.0%, respectively in the previous survey.

The BOJ has previously admitted that momentum toward achieving its 2% price target had stalled, with the key consumer price index expected near flat in the short run and likely to rise only gradually.

The survey, conducted from May 27 to June 30, showed companies on average expect sales prices to rise 0.5% a year from now, up from 0.2% in March. They saw an increase of 1.1% three years ahead, up from +0.9% in March and they saw an increase of 1.7% five years sales price, up from 1.5% in March.