Japan Core Inflation Rises to 1.9%, Fanning Hopes for BoJ Rate Hike

Japan's core Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 1.9% year-over-year in July, exceeding expectations and previous months' readings.

The data release comes as markets await a potential interest rate hike from the Bank of Japan (BoJ), with some analysts predicting a 0.25% increase to 1.25% in September.

CPI Ex-Food and Energy, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, also reached a six-month high at 1.9% year-over-year.