Japanese inflation rises at a fastest pace since Apr 2015

Japan’s consumer prices excluding food increased 0.3% in April year-on-year, the fastest rise since April 2015. 

This is the fourth consecutive month of gains as the energy prices and utility prices edged higher. 

Headline consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.4% year-on-year in April against a 0.2% rise in March, while CPI ex food and energy was flat in April following March’s 0.1% dip. 

Details show energy prices nationwide increased 4.5% in April, while Tokyo CPI excluding food increased 0.1%. 

The sustained uptick in inflation is good news, although price pressures are nowhere closer to Japan’s 2% inflation target.