Corporate services prices in Japan saw their most significant increase since early 2015 in April, according to data from the Bank of Japan reported on Tuesday. The rise of 2.8% year-on-year in the Corporate Services Price Index (CSPI) for April, compared to a 2.4% rise in the previous month, reflects a positive trend, particularly driven by rising labour costs in the services sector.
In April, service prices increased by 0.7% from March, although this growth rate was slightly slower compared to the previous month’s 0.9%. The increase in labour costs was particularly notable in labour-intensive service industries like machine repair and industrial facility renovation.
Policymakers view the CSPI as a crucial indicator, as they seek to stimulate long-term demand-led inflation through sustainable wage growth. This is essential for the Bank of Japan’s plans to potentially raise interest rates in the future following its decision in March to end negative rates.
The recent uptick in wages is considered a significant development in Japan, where historically low wages have hindered consistent consumer spending and overall economic expansion. The wage hikes by businesses, the most substantial in many years, are seen as a key factor influencing the Bank of Japan’s policy adjustments.
While the central bank anticipates further interest rate hikes, it is expected to proceed cautiously considering the fragile state of the Japanese economy.
