Japan Inflation Accelerated In December as Abe Sought Wage Increases; Manufacturing January PMI Approaches 8-Year High

Japan's core consumer inflation rose at the speediest pace in more than five years in December, while the job market got better. The increased inflation has placed pressure on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government to encourage wage gains as his efforts to free the nation from the deflationary debility that has lasted 15 years continue.