Yen Tumbles on Soft Inflation Ahead of BOJ Rate Move

The Japanese yen fell to around 156.30 per dollar on September 18, as lower-than-expected consumer inflation in August reduced expectations of aggressive Bank of Japan tightening.

The BOJ's policy decision was just hours away, and the market is eagerly awaiting BOJ chief Kuroda Haruhiko's news conference for hints on the pace of rate hikes.

The yen had traded at 155.68-70 late Thursday before easing to the current level. The inflation data showed consumer prices rose 0.3% in August, below the expected 0.5% rise.