0054 GMT - Japan's solid consumer price figures for March likely support the Bank of Japan's view that domestic price conditions are in line with its outlook, says Mizuho Securities economist Ryosuke Katagi. BOJ Gov. Kazuo Ueda reiterated Thursday that the central bank would raise interest rates further if the economy and prices align with its projections. Rice prices, one of the major reasons for recent consumer price growth, jumped 92.1% in March from a year earlier, versus February's 80.9% rise. Meanwhile, energy prices are likely to remain volatile because the government is expected to reintroduce subsidies for electricity and gas in the summer, Katagi says. (megumi.fujikawa@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 17, 2025 20:54 ET (00:54 GMT)

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