Tokyo Core Consumer Prices Rise 2.5 Pct in Sept.

Tokyo, Sept. 26 (Jiji Press)–The core consumer price index for Tokyo’s densely populated 23 special wards climbed 2.5 pct in September from a year earlier, marking the 49th consecutive month of increase, government data showed Friday. The pace of increase, which had been slowing, was unchanged from the previous month as energy prices turned higher. The index, which excludes volatile fresh food prices, stood at 110.0 against the 2020 base of 100, the internal affairs ministry said. Energy prices rose 2.7 pct. Electricity and city gas fees increased 3.4 pct and 2.0 pct, respectively. Despite the government’s ongoing electricity and gas subsidies, energy prices increased year-on-year, reflecting the impact of more generous subsidies implemented last year. Prices of food, excluding fresh food, went up 6.9 pct. Rice prices jumped 46.8 pct, while the pace of growth slowed for the fifth successive month. Among rice-related items, prices of “onigiri” rice balls and sushi at restaurants were up 17.7 pct and 10.0 pct, respectively. Meanwhile, nursery school fees plunged 60.4 pct, reflecting the Tokyo metropolitan government’s initiative to make nursery services free for the first child in a family. Water rates fell 34.6 pct due to the metropolitan government’s program to waive basic fees during the summer. The overall CPI, which includes fresh food, and the index excluding fresh food and energy prices both grew by 2.5 pct. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]