The snapshot above is from the investingLive economic data calendar.
- The times in the left-most column are GMT.
- The numbers in the right-most column are the ‘prior’ (previous month/quarter as the case may be) result. The number in the column next to that, where there is a number, is the consensus median expected.
Of most interest is the inflation data from Japan. Tokyo area inflation data:
- National-level CPI data for this month will follow in about three weeks, it takes longer to gather and collate the national data.
- Tokyo CPI is a sub-index of the national CPI
- It measures the change in prices of goods and services in the Tokyo metropolitan area
- Its considered a leading indicator of national CPI trends because Tokyo is the largest city in Japan and is a major economic hub
- Historically, Tokyo CPI data has been just slightly higher than national Japan CPI data. The cost of living in Tokyo is a touch higher than in most other parts of Japan. Higher rents, for example
Japan’s inflation story has been unusually persistent by historic standards: consumer prices at the national level have remained above the Bank of Japan’s 2 % target for many months (well, years!), driven by wage growth, a weak yen and ongoing cost pass-through, even as headline inflation has cooled from peaks earlier in the cycle.
The BoJ is on a cautious tightening path after ending decades of ultra-easy policy and raising its key rate to 0.75 % in December. Policymakers are assessing the full impact of that hike, mindful that inflation appears to be moderating but still running above target in key underlying measures, and have emphasised a data-dependent approach to future moves.
Today’s Tokyo CPI readings, including the headline, core and core-core gauges, will be closely watched for signs of continued stickiness in prices. Stronger-than-expected prints would reinforce expectations for further BoJ tightening later in 2026, while softer outcomes would support the central bank’s slow and cautious pacing.
This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.