Tokyo Core Inflation Slows to Weakest Since 2022

Core consumer prices in Tokyo’s central wards increased 1.5% year-on-year in April 2026, slowing slightly from a 1.7% rise in March and coming in below market expectations of a 1.8% gain. This marked the smallest increase since March 2022, partly due to moderating processed food inflation (4.6% vs. 4.9% in March), the lowest since December 2024. The latest figure remained below the Bank of Japan’s 2% target for the third consecutive month. However, the latest figure came amid base effects and highlighted the government’s efforts to ease price pressures through stimulus.

Core consumer prices in Tokyo’s central wards rose 1.7% year-on-year in March 2026, easing slightly from a 1.8% increase in February and falling short of market expectations for a 1.8% gain. This marked the smallest rise since April 2024, driven in part by a moderation in processed food inflation (4.9% vs 5.5% in February). The latest figure remained below the Bank of Japan’s 2% target for the second consecutive month. However, analysts view the slowdown as temporary, noting that rising oil prices linked to the Middle East conflict and higher import costs due to the weak yen are likely to intensify inflationary pressures in the coming months.

Core consumer prices in Tokyo’s central wards increased 1.8% year-on-year in February 2026, easing from a 2% rise in January and marking the softest pace since October 2024. Inflation in Japan’s capital slowed for a third straight month, though it slightly exceeded market expectations of 1.7%. Even so, the February reading fell below the Bank of Japan’s 2% target, suggesting limited urgency for the central bank to tighten policy in the near term. The Japanese government nominated two reflation-leaning academics to the BOJ’s policy board, reinforcing expectations that policymakers will move cautiously on further rate hikes. However, hawkish board member Hajime Takata reiterated the need for additional rate increases and for forward guidance to reflect that the price stability target is close to being achieved. Governor Kazuo Ueda also reportedly indicated that the central bank will carefully assess incoming economic data at its March and April meetings before making any rate decisions.