Japan's inflation slows to 2.6% in March but rate hike still likely

Japan's core inflation slowed to 2.6 percent in March as the effects of higher energy costs continued to fade, government data showed Friday, but the inflationary effect of the persistently weak yen is making it more likely the Bank of Japan will raise interest rates again.The rise in the nationwide core consumer price index, which excludes volatile fresh food, remained at or above the BOJ's 2 percent target for the 24th straight month in March following a 2.8 percent gain in February.It increased 2.8 percent in fiscal 2023, making it the second straight year that the key gauge of inflation…READ FULL ARTICLE