Japan's annual core consumer inflation hit a two-year low to match the central bank's 2 per cent target in January, data showed on Friday, suggesting weakening price pressure that could complicate its decision on how soon to raise interest rates. A separate index seen as a better indicator of underlying inflation also slowed but remained well above the Bank of Japan's target, suggesting that solid wage gains will keep the central bank on course to push up still-low borrowing costs. The data adds to recent mixed signs in the economy which barely grew in the final quarter of last year, but saw exports jump.
