A slight easing in consumer inflation is welcome news for the Japanese central bank, but stubbornly high food prices will be of concern for policymakers.

Japan’s ruling coalition lost its upper house majority, dealing a major blow to PM Shigeru Ishiba amid rising public frustration, opposition gains, and looming U.S. trade tariff talks.

Japan's core inflation cooled to 3.3% in June, coming down from a 29-month high of 3.7% as food inflation showed signs of easing. The figure — which strips out costs for fresh food — was in line with the 3.3% expected by economists polled by Reuters.

TOKYO, July 21 (Reuters) - Japan's ruling coalition lost control of the upper house in an election on Sunday, further weakening Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's grip on power even as he vowed to remain party leader, citing a looming tariff deadline with the United States.

Japan’s ruling coalition is on track to lose its majority in the upper house, according to exit polls from Sunday’s election cited by Reuters. The development could spell heightened political instability just as the country nears a critical trade deadline with the United States.

TOKYO -- The Japanese public voted on Sunday to determine the makeup of the nation's upper house, in a crucial vote for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, whose coalition is fighting to hold on to its majority -- one that it lost in the lower chamber last autumn.

Japan's upper house election on Sunday could shake up politics, with rising prices and a populist party gaining ground. What’s at stake for PM Ishiba and Japan’s future?

Japans core inflation eased in June due to temporary utility subsidies, yet remained above the Bank of Japans (BOJ) 2% targetfueling ongoing expectations of further interest rate hikes. According to official data