Corporate service prices are still falling slowly. 1  2  This report was written based on data and information available at the time of the Bank of Japan Monetary Policy Meeting held on February 9, 2001.
A gradual lift in wages growth would be a welcome development for the workforce and the economy. It is also needed for inflation to be sustainably within the 2–3 per cent target range. Endnotes [*]  Thanks to James Bishop, Natasha Cassidy and particularly Blair Chapman for embedding himself at the ABS to analyse the micro data.