Japanese core inflation remains steady at 1.3% on year in march.

Japanese core inflation, which excludes fresh food prices, held steady at 1.3% on year in March but came in below consensus of 1.4%. Core core CPI, which excludes fresh food and energy, slipped to +0.7% from +0.8% in February. The data helped the Nikkei buck a negative global tape and close +0.2%, due to hopes that the Bank of Japan will increase its bond-buying program in order to make sure that inflation rises to the BOJ's target of 2%.