BOJ's Kuroda says trend inflation rising steadily

"Japan is steadily wiping out a deflationary mindset," Kuroda told parliament, maintaining his optimistic view on the outlook ahead of the central bank's rate review next week.

The BOJ is expected to hold off on expanding monetary stimulus at the April 30 meeting even though the central bank is likely to trim its inflation forecast for this fiscal year, sources have told Reuters.

(Reporting by Leika Kihara; Editing by Chris Gallagher)