Japanese economists have raised the inflation forecast. This was the last of the positive developments for the Bank of Japan, which is trying to defeat deflation.

According to the survey of 41 economists conducted by the Japan Center for Economic Research, in the next fiscal year, which ends in late March 2018, inflation will reach 0.73%. In November the forecast was 0.61%.

Economists also raised the forecast for next year to 1.01% against 0.94% prior. These changes coincide with a reduction in expectations of further Bank of Japan easing policy.