The Japanese economy released the annual report of the Tokyo Consumer Price Index, which showed an accelerated growth to 1.4% from 0.9% in March, consistent with expectations of a 1.1% growth rate. The core annual reading of the same index, excluding the fresh food accelerated to 1.3% in growth from the previous reading and expectations at 1.1%. While the core annual reading excluding the fresh food and energy showed a growth acceleration of 0.9% compared to the previous reading and expectations of 0.7%.
This came in conjunction with the release of labor market data for the world's third-largest economy, which showed unemployment rising to 2.5% from 2.3% in the reading of February, worse than expectations of a 2.3% increase. To a stable new job offers to applicant ratio at 1.63, unchanged from February's expectations.