Japans service-sector inflation reached 2.9% year-on-year in December, driven by rising costs in accommodation and transportation, according to Bank of Japan (BOJ) data. While slightly lower than Novembers 3.

Japan's core consumer price index—which includes gasoline prices but does not include fresh food—rose 3% annually in December, reaching its highest level since August 2023, up from 2.7% in November and matching consensus.