Core consumer prices fell for the seventh month straight and household spending slumped in September, endorsing the Bank of Japan's view it will take more time for inflation to accelerate to its 2 percent target as the economy stagnates.
While the sluggish indicators come as little surprise to policymakers, Friday's numbers add to a recent run of gloomy data that will keep the central bank under pressure to maintain an aggressive stimulus program.
That said, the BOJ is likely to hold off on expanding stimulus at its policy meeting next week, despite an expected downgrade in its price forecast that may show Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda won't see inflation hit 2 percent before his tenure ends in 2018.
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