The projection is more bullish than the 0.7 percent rise forecast three months before, according to the survey carried out as part of the BOJ's "tankan" quarterly business sentiment survey for June.

The surveyed companies forecast the CPI inflation will reach 1.1 percent in three years, up 0.1 percentage point from the March survey, and also 1.1 percent in five years, unchanged.

In the tankan report, released on Monday, business sentiment in Japan showed a broad-based improvement on the back of overseas economic recovery.

The BOJ maintains its target of achieving 2 pct inflation at an early date. But the companies have a cautious inflation outlook, with many forecasting around one percent.

Japan's core consumer prices in May rose 0.4 percent from a year earlier, led by higher energy prices, posting the fifth straight month of increase, the internal affairs ministry said Friday.

The pace of rise in the core consumer price index, which excludes often volatile fresh food prices, was larger than April's 0.3 percent. (Jiji Press)