Japan's headline inflation rate fell to 2.3% in October, its lowest since January, while core inflation also decreased to 2.3%. Despite this, 55% of economists anticipate a 25 basis point rate hike by the Bank of Japan in December, aiming for sustained wage-driven inflation. Governor Kazuo Ueda cautioned against maintaining low borrowing costs, suggesting a potential policy rate of 1% by the second half of fiscal 2025.
