Japan Core Consumer Prices Up 3.1 Pct in 2025

Tokyo, Jan. 23 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s core consumer prices in 2025 rose 3.1 pct from the previous year on average, the fourth consecutive year of growth, the internal affairs ministry said Friday. The core consumer price index, which excludes volatile fresh food prices, reached 111.2 against the 2020 base of 100. The growth rate was up from 2.5 pct in 2024, hitting the 3 pct range for the first time in two years. The increase was driven by soaring food prices, including those of rice. Of 522 items surveyed, prices rose for 440, reflecting higher raw material costs caused by the yen’s weakening and other factors. Prices for food excluding fresh food climbed 7.0 pct, with rice prices increasing 67.5 pct, the largest jump since comparable data became available in 1971. Prices for chocolate and coffee beans also showed notable rises. The overall CPI, including fresh food prices, gained 3.2 pct, and the index excluding fresh food and energy prices increased 3.0 pct. In December alone, the CPI stood at 112.2, up 2.4 pct year on year, marking the 52nd consecutive month of growth, though the growth rate narrowed from 3.0 pct in November. While food prices continued to rise, electricity and city gas prices fell from a year before. Gasoline prices dropped 7.1 pct, reflecting a rise in government subsidies ahead of the abolition of the provisional gasoline tax surcharge at the end of 2025. The overall CPI, which includes fresh food prices, increased 2.1 pct, and the index excluding fresh food and energy prices rose 2.9 pct. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]