Japan’s September inflation climbs to 2.1 per cent
Japan’s annual consumer inflation rose to 2.1 per cent in September, with prices excluding fresh food accelerating from 1.7 per cent to 2.1 per cent. Food and accommodation became more expensive, while electricity and gasoline remained cheaper than a year earlier. The national figures released on October 23 also showed a stronger rise in prices when both fresh food and energy were excluded. The seasonally adjusted monthly headline increase was 0.4 per cent.
Economics & Markets··Morning
Fresh-food exclusion measure accelerates
Japan’s annual consumer inflation excluding fresh food increased from 1.7 per cent in August to 2.1 per cent in September. The national price release covers September across Japan.[1], [2]
The Statistics Bureau of Japan, the country’s official statistical agency, released the figures on October 23. Headline inflation rose from 1.9 per cent to 2.1 per cent annually. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, headline prices increased 0.4 per cent; the measure excluding fresh food rose 0.5 per cent.[1]
Food and accommodation become more expensive
Food excluding fresh items cost 2.9 per cent more than a year earlier, contributing about 0.69 percentage points to headline inflation. Prepared food rose 4.2 per cent, fresh fish and seafood 13.9 per cent and meals outside the home 2.5 per cent. Accommodation charges increased 4.6 per cent, while cereal prices declined 5 per cent.[1]
Electricity and gasoline remain cheaper than a year earlier
Energy prices fell 0.6 per cent annually, including declines of 2.4 per cent for electricity and 2.6 per cent for gasoline. Excluding both fresh food and energy, annual inflation accelerated from 1.9 per cent to 2.4 per cent. That measure increased 0.5 per cent on a seasonally adjusted monthly basis. Rents rose 0.6 per cent from a year earlier.[1]
