TOKYO, April 24 (Reuters) - Japanese government bonds

(JGBs) slid on Friday as markets positioned for a central bank

meeting next week, where policymakers are expected to evaluate

inflation risks to the economy.

The benchmark 10-year JGB yield rose 1.5

basis points (bps) to 2.435%, the highest since April 14. The

two-year yield, the one most sensitive to Bank of

Japan policy rates, increased 0.5 bp to 1.355%. Yields move

inversely to bond prices.

The BOJ is expected to keep its key rate steady at 0.75% at

the end of its two-day meeting on Tuesday while signalling its

willingness to hike as ​soon as June to rein in imported energy

price pressures from the Middle East crisis.

Data on Friday showed that Japan's core inflation slowed

below the central bank's 2% target for a second straight month

in March, as government fuel subsidies counteracted price

pressures from the energy shock.

"Today's Japanese bond market is expected to see a slightly

bearish trend. Inflation concerns driven by high oil prices are

weighing on the market," Takayuki Miyajima, a senior economist

at Sony Financial Group, said in a note.

"Since April, ultra-long-term bonds have been relatively

firm amid concerns over inflation and fiscal expansion, but this

also means the market is now ripe for profit-taking."

The 30-year yield added 3 bps to 3.645%. The

yield on the 40-year JGB, Japan's longest tenor,

rose 3.5 bps to 3.86%.

The five-year yield rose 1 bp to 1.845%.

(Reporting by Rocky Swift in Tokyo; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)