China Home Prices Rise in January as Government Signals Stronger Support for Property Market 
U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
Bank of Japan Signals Cautious Path Toward Further Rate Hikes Amid Yen Weakness 
RBA Deputy Governor Says November Inflation Slowdown Helpful but Still Above Target 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Retreats After Fed Decision 
Jerome Powell Attends Supreme Court Hearing on Trump Effort to Fire Fed Governor, Calling It Historic 
U.S. Prosecutors Investigate Fed Chair Jerome Powell Over Headquarters Renovation 
New York Fed President John Williams Signals Rate Hold as Economy Seen Strong in 2026 
Why Trump’s new pick for Fed chair hit gold and silver markets – for good reasons 
Bank of Korea Expected to Hold Interest Rates as Weak Won Limits Policy Easing 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
Oil Prices Hit Four-Month High as Geopolitical Risks and Supply Disruptions Intensify 
Asian Stocks Waver as Trump Signals Fed Pick, Shutdown Deal and Tech Earnings Stir Markets 
Tokyo’s consumer price index (CPI) inflation accelerated in January, reaching a near two-year high as strong private spending sustained price growth. The headline CPI rose 3.4% year-on-year, up from 3% in December, marking the highest level since April 2023.
Core CPI, which excludes fresh food prices, increased 2.5% year-on-year, in line with expectations and up from 2.4% in the previous month. A further core measure, stripping out both fresh food and energy, rose 1.9%, edging closer to the Bank of Japan’s (BOJ) 2% target.
Tokyo CPI serves as a leading indicator for nationwide inflation, suggesting price pressures remain strong. This trend supports the BOJ’s recent shift toward tighter monetary policy. Last week, the central bank raised interest rates by 25 basis points—its third hike since beginning a tightening cycle in early 2024.
The BOJ anticipates a “virtuous cycle” where rising wages fuel private consumption, keeping inflation near its target. However, further rate hikes are unlikely until mid-2025 as the central bank assesses economic conditions and political developments.
Upcoming Shunto wage negotiations in March and Japan’s upper house elections in July will be key factors in shaping monetary policy.
With inflation steadily rising, markets are watching for signs of additional BOJ action in the coming months.
