Core inflation — which strips out prices of fresh food — was lower than the 1.7% expected by economists polled by Reuters and below the 1.8% reading in March.

Core inflation — which strips out prices of fresh food — was lower than the 1.7% expected by economists polled by Reuters and below the 1.8% reading in March.

TOKYO, May 22 : Japan's annual core inflation slowed to a four-year low in April due to the effect of subsidies on fuel and education, data showed on Friday, though analysts…