Japan's services producer price index rises 3.7% in August, fastest since June 2024
The gauge rose 3.6% in July. The Bank of Japan watches it for signs companies are passing on labour costs.
TOKYO, Sept 28 (Reuters) — A key gauge of Japan's service-sector inflation rose in August at the fastest annual pace in more than two years, data showed on Monday, highlighting mounting price pressures that will keep the central bank on track for further interest rate hikes. 6% gain in July, data from the Bank of Japan showed. The increase in August, which was the fastest year-on-year pace since June 2024, reflected rising freight, advertising and rental lease fees, in a sign of broadening inflationary pressure, the data showed. The data is closely watched by the BOJ for clues on the extent to which companies are passing on rising labour costs to service-related prices.
25% this month and its governor signalled the bank's readiness to push up borrowing costs further to prevent inflation from overshooting its target. net)