Japan inflation softens to over four year low, weakening case for BOJ rate hike

A gas station attendant refuels a customer's car in Tokyo on April 24, 2026. Kazuhiro Nogi | Afp | Getty Images Japan's core inflation eased more than expected in April to its lowest level since March 2022, potentially weakening the case for an early rate hike by the Bank of Japan. Core inflation — which strips out prices of fresh food — came in at 1.4%, lower than the 1.7% expected by economists polled by Reuters and below the 1.8% reading in March. …