TOKYO, April 15 Reuters Japan39;s core consumer inflation likely accelerated in March from a year earlier but was still well short of the Bank of Japan39;s price goal, a Reuters poll showed, bolstering the view that the BOJ will lag way behind other central banks in normalising policy.

Separate data is expected to show Japan39;s trade balance remained deep in the red, stoking worries about surging import costs of fuel and commodities, while the yen39;s weakening to 20year low past 126 versus the dollar this week adding to the pain.

Next week39;s data would underscore the challenge for Japan39;s central bank. The weak yen has emerged as a political hotbutton issue as lawmakers demand measures to cushion the blow from rising inflation.

The nationwide core consumer price index CPI data, to be released by the internal ministry at 2330 GMT on April 21, likely rose 0.8 in March from a year earlier, faster than a 0.6 gain in February, the poll of 18 economists showed on Friday.

The pace of rises in the core CPI likely returned to prepandemic levels, said Takeshi Minami, chief economist at Norinchukin Research Institute.

The natiowide core index probably picked up in March as import inflation has strengthened due to the weak yen, rising crude oil and commodity prices.

Still, rising headline inflation does not mean the BOJ would rush to unwind its monetary stimulus anytime soon. On the contrary, the central bank is expected to stick with its powerful stimulus for some time…