tokyo nov 19 reuters  core consumer prices in tokyo a leading indicator of japans nationwide inflation likely rose in november at the fastest pace in more than a year a reuters poll showed a sign firms were starting to pass on higher energy and raw material costs the core consumer price index cpi which includes energy but excludes fresh food prices was seen rising 04 in japans capital city in the year to november the fastest pace of increase since july 2020 the poll of 17 economists showed tokyos core cpi index rose 01 in october while such data would suggest a pickup in japans nationwide core cpi the latest reading of 01 in october was still well below the central banks 2 target read more unlike in europe and the united states japan hasnt seen a sharp rebound in demand after the lifting of covid19 curbs said takeshi minami chief economist at norinchukin research institute the inflation rate will likely accelerate but only at a modest pace analysts expect japans consumer inflation to pick up in coming months due to rising fuel costs but not as steeply as in other countries as weak household spending discourages firms from raising prices bank of japan governor haruhiko kuroda said on monday inflation will accelerate to around 1 in the first half of 2022 as the economy recovers to prepandemic levels that will still leave inflation well below the bojs target suggesting the central bank is likely to maintain monetary policy ultraloose read more the government will release the november tokyo cpi data on nov 26 at 830 am nov 25 2330 gmt