Japan consumer inflation slows, piling pressure on BOJ to act

TOKYO: Japan's annual core consumer inflation slowed for a second straight month in September, adding to evidence the Bank of Japan will miss its 2 percent price goal even as it dismisses growing doubts about the efficacy of its money-printing programme.

The reminder of the stiff challenge facing the BOJ in its quest to reflate the economy and end grinding deflation comes as its board prepares to maintain its massive asset purchase plan at its policy review later on Friday, and rule out fresh stimulus in the near term.