Japan's core consumer price index rose 0.8% in March from a year earlier, government data has shown.
The core consumer price index, which includes oil products but excludes fresh food prices, compared with economists' median estimate for a 0.7% annual gain.
Stripping away the effect of fresh food and energy, consumer prices rose 0.4% in March from a year ago.
The full tables can be viewed here.
Market Volatility
Elsewhere, Vice Finance Minister Masatsugu Asakawa said on Friday that the Japanese authorities stood ready to respond to any excessive market volatility during the upcoming long Japanese holiday.
The authorities will remain vigilant toward rapid market swings and take steps as necessary, Asakawa, the vice finance minister for international affairs, told reporters after a meeting with his counterparts at the Bank of Japan and Financial Services Agency.
Japan is set for an unusually long 10-day holiday - from April 27 through May 6 - combining its annual Golden Week with extra days to celebrate the enthronement of a new emperor.
News by Reuters, edited by ESM. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
