Japan CPI core (ex-food) climbed back to -0.6% yoy in January, up from -1.0% yoy, above expectation of -0.7% yoy. All item CPI also rose to -0.6% yoy, up from -1.2% yoy. CPI core-core (ex-food and energy) turned positive to 0.1% yoy, up from -0.4% yoy.
BoJ is set to review its monetary policy tools in March, to make the massive stimulus program “more sustainable and effective”. It’s reported that the central bank could replace some numerical guidelines for ETF purchases. A source to Reuters noted that “to make the BOJ’s policy sustainable, it needs to avoid buying too much ETFs when doing so is unnecessary”.
