{
  "id": 2265455,
  "title": "Asia: Inflation in Japan picks up – rate hike in September increasingly likely",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/asien-inflation-in-japan-zieht-an-zinserhohung-im-september-immer",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-21T00:46:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/finanzen/maerkte/asien-inflation-in-japan-zieht-an-zinserhoehung-im-september-immer-wahrscheinlicher/100248715.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "Japan's core inflation rate accelerated to 1.8% in July, matching analyst expectations, from 1.6% in June. The increase is attributed to companies passing on higher import costs to consumers due to a weak yen and the impact of the US-Israel war against Iran. The data, released on Friday, may influence the Bank of Japan's next interest rate decision on September 17-18, with experts predicting a potential rate hike to 1.25% from 1%. Despite the rise, core inflation remains below the central bank's 2% target for the seventh consecutive month.",
  "summary": "High import costs and a weak yen are affecting consumers. Experts expect the monetary authorities to raise the key interest rate from one percent to 1.25 percent.",
  "key_points": [
    "Japan's core inflation accelerated in July, rising 1.8% YoY",
    "BOJ likely to raise interest rate to 1.25% in September meeting inflation threat",
    "Core inflation stayed below 2% target for 7th month due to subsidies"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The acceleration of Japan's core inflation increases the likelihood of a further interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan, potentially raising the policy rate to 1.25 percent by September.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}