Asian equity markets mostly rose on Tuesday as investors digested the latest inflation figures from Japan, while looking ahead to Australian inflation numbers and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s interest rate decision on Wednesday. The headline and core inflation rates in Japan slowed to 2.2% and 2% in January from 2.6% and 2.3% in December, respectively, the lowest reading since March 2022. However, the core inflation print came in above market expectations for a further slowdown to 1.8%. Shares in Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and China advanced, while South Korean stocks declined.
