Japan's September core CPI excluding fresh food rose 2.1% YoY, up from 1.7% in August, a print that could reinforce market expectations of Bank of Japan tightening in December. Markets are pricing a potential 25bps move that would lift the policy rate to about 1.5%, though the BOJ is widely expected to leave rates unchanged at next week's meeting to assess the impact of prior hikes, including September's. A weaker yen and higher international oil prices are raising import costs and keeping upwar

Japan's September core CPI excluding fresh food rose 2.1% YoY, up from 1.7% in August, a print that could reinforce market expectations of Bank of Japan tightening in December. Markets are pricing a potential 25bps move that would lift the policy rate to about 1.5%, though the BOJ is widely expected to leave rates unchanged at next week's meeting to assess the impact of prior hikes, including September's. A weaker yen and higher international oil prices are raising import costs and keeping upward pressure on consumer prices. With underlying inflation now close to the BOJ's 2% target, Governor UEDA said the bank must pay greater attention to upside inflation risks.