Hotter-than-expected Tokyo inflation increases odds of May rate hike

Tokyo's consumer price index (CPI) inflation unexpectedly accelerated to 2.9% year on year in March from a revised 2.8% in February, higher than the market consensus of 2.7%. We find that price pressures are becoming more broad based. As expected, costs of fresh food and utilities eased a little on the month. But most other major items -- such as household goods (5.2%), clothing (3.1%) and medical care (2.4%) -- all rose. Thus, core inflation, excluding fresh food, rose to 2.4% in March vs 2.2% in February. A 2.2% reading was the market consensus.

Processed food prices also accelerated. An earlier rise in fresh food is now likely to feed through to the overall category. And, with a time lag, to eating-out prices. This ripple effect is already being noticed by the Bank of Japan. With upside inflation risks growing, the odds of a BoJ’s rate reaction increase.