Japan's consumer prices fall at fastest pace in decade

Analysts expect consumer prices to continue falling in coming months due to sluggish consumption, casting doubt on the central bank's view Japan will eventually see prices bounce back towards the central bank's elusive 2% inflation target.

TOKYO: Japan's core consumer prices fell in October at their fastest pace annual in nearly a decade as the boost from last year's sales tax hike petered out, heightening fears of a return to deflation for an economy still dealing with COVID-19.

Analysts expect consumer prices to continue falling in coming months due to sluggish consumption, casting doubt on the central bank's view Japan will eventually see prices bounce back towards the central bank's elusive 2% inflation target.