Japan's core inflation accelerated in March due to persistent rises in food costs, data showed on Friday, complicating the central bank's task of weighing mounting price pressures against risks to the economy from higher U.

Japan’s core consumer inflation gained pace in March due to higher food prices, helping the Bank of Japan make a case for further interest-rate increases despite tariff concerns.

Japan's inflation grew 3.6% year on year in March, marking three straight years that the headline inflation figure is above the Bank of Japan's 2% target.