tokyo july 21 reuters  core inflation in japans capital likely stayed above the central banks 2 target but slowed sharply in july a reuters poll showed on friday suggesting that easing cost pressures will moderate the pace of price gains nationwide the tokyo core consumer price index cpi which excludes volatile fresh food but includes fuel costs likely rose 29 in july from a year earlier according to a reuters poll slowing from a preliminary 32 gain in may the slowdown would be largely due to moderating fuel costs and the base effect of last years sharp gains analysts say tokyo inflation data is closely watched by markets as a leading indicator of nationwide price trends the july data will be released at 830 am on july 28 2330 gmt on july 27 or hours before the closely watched policy announcement of the bojs july 2728 rate review