TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan’s core inflation likely accelerated in September for the first time in four months on continued increases in living costs, a Reuters poll showed, adding to pressure on the central bank to raise interest rates.

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said on Thursday the central bank will scrutinise more data in deciding whether to hike rates at its next October 29-30 meeting.

The core consumer price index (CPI), which includes energy items but excludes fresh food prices, was forecast to have risen 2.9% in September from a year earlier, a poll of 19 economists showed on Friday.

That would follow a 2.7% rise in August, which marked the slowest pace in nine months and the third month of deceleration after a 3.7% gain in May.

The inflation rate in September was likely part

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