Japan Prices Rise Most Since '08 in Boost for Abe; "Vindication" of Money-Printing

``As Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's policies weaken the yen and energy costs rise, the increase in consumer prices could stoke inflation expectations and encourage companies and consumers to spend more, bolstering the economic recovery. After April's unprecedented monetary easing, the next challenge for Abe is to loosen constraints on the labor market and companies to achieve sustained growth and a goal of 2 percent inflation. ''