Japanese core inflation likely to have accelerated 0.2 pct year-on-year in April

Japan is set to release its consumer price inflation and trade data for April next week. According to a Barclays research report, Japan’s core inflation is expected to have accelerated 0.2 percent year-on-year, as in the earlier month. There is a possibility of further signals of retailer price adjustments into the new fiscal year.

However, the April data released so for indicates that price hiking seems slightly weak. Some major supermarket and convenience store chains have cut their prices. Unless the current softness wanes in the next couple of months, the Bank of Japan might cut its price outlook again in July.

Meanwhile, the nation’s trade balance is likely to show a seasonally adjusted deficit for the first time in 18 months, highlighting the impact of rebounding oil prices on corporate terms of trade, added Barclays. The other focus might be exports in the midst of certain signs of decelerating Asian demand.