Inflation in Central Tokyo Rises to 1.8 Pct in Aug.

Tokyo, Aug. 28 (Jiji Press)–Core inflation in central Tokyo rose to 1.8 pct in August, accelerating for the third straight month, driven by higher costs for dining out and prepared foods and rising medical fees, the Japanese internal affairs ministry said Friday. The core consumer price index for the capital’s 23 wards, which excludes volatile fresh food prices, stood at 102.3 against the 2025 base of 100, marking the 60th consecutive month of year-on-year increase. Food prices excluding fresh food rose 3.6 pct in August from a year before, slowing from a 3.8 pct increase in July. Prices rose for about 70 pct of the items surveyed. Rice prices fell 14.2 pct, however, extending declines to a fourth straight month after historically steep price increases last year. Medical fees rose 3.2 pct following a change in the reimbursement program for high-cost medical care payment. Energy prices fell 2 pct, widening from a 0.7 pct decline in July. Electricity prices fell 2.4 pct and city gas prices declined 1.6 pct after the government resumed subsidies. Gasoline prices dropped 2.7 pct. The consumer price index, including fresh food, a measure that more closely reflects consumers’ sense of living costs, rose 1.9 pct. The index excluding fresh food and energy increased 2 pct. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]