TOKYO, Nov 28 Reuters A key measure of Japan39;s trend inflation accelerated to 2.2 in October, data showed on Tuesday, marking a fresh record high in a sign of broadening price pressure that heightens the case for the central bank to dial back its massive monetary stimulus.

The data adds to recent growing signs that prospects of sustained wage increases are prodding firms to hike prices for their services, a trend the central bank sees as a prerequisite for ending ultralow interest rates.

The 2.2 yearonyear increase in the weighted median inflation rate, which is closely watched as an indicator on whether price rises are broadening, followed a 2.0 gain in September. It was the fastest rise since comparable data became available in 2001, Bank of Japan BOJ data showed.

The data will be among the factors the BOJ will scrutinise at its next policysetting meeting on Dec. 1819.

The BOJ remains a global dovish outlier, having maintained ultraloose policy even as major central banks elsewhere raised interest rates aggressively to fight rampant inflation.

While core consumer inflation has exceeded its target for more than a year, the BOJ has pledged to keep superlow interest rates until its 2 inflation target can be achieved on a sustained manner, backed by solid consumption and wage increases.

We39;re seeing some positive signs in wages and inflation. But there39;s high uncertainty on whether this cycle will strengthen, BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda told parliament on Monday….