0752 GMT - Demand related to artificial intelligence has driven up corporate goods prices in Japan markedly since early 2026, but its impact on consumer prices is likely limited, Mizuho Securities economists say. Because AI-related cost increases affect only certain durable consumer goods, even under the strong assumption that all costs are passed on to consumers, the upward effect on the consumer-price index appears constrained, they say. "At least from a cost-push perspective, treating inflation risks from AI-related demand on a par with high energy prices or a weaker yen goes too far," they add. In Tuesday's speech, BOJ Gov. Kazuo Ueda reiterated that AI demand is one of the factors pushing up Japan's inflation, along with higher oil costs and the yen's depreciation.
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