Tokyo Inflation Hits 1.8%, Firing Up BOJ Rate Hike Speculation

The Tokyo inflation rate has ticked up for the third month in a row, with the consumer price index excluding fresh food rising to 1.8% year-over-year in August.

This increase matches the median economist estimate and comes as expectations build for another interest-rate hike from the Bank of Japan in September.

The BOJ has been signaling its intention to normalize monetary policy, and this latest inflation data will only add fuel to that fire.