Momentum in Tokyo inflation weakened in January for the first time since April, as moderating price gains offered support for the Bank of Japan’s stand-pat stance. Consumer prices in the capital, excluding those for fresh food, rose 0.2%, slowing from December’s 0.5% gain, the ministry of internal affairs reported Friday. Economists had forecast a 0.3% pace for the leading indicator of national price trends. Inflation slowed largely due to hotel prices, which stagnated compared with the level in 2021, when the end of government-sponsored discounts boosted accommodation costs. Prices of energy rose, but not enough to ... (full story)