Consumer prices up in 2017

Jan 27 (NHK) - Japan's Consumer Price Index for the year 2017 rose for the first time in 2 years.

Officials at the internal affairs ministry say last year's CPI stood at 100.2 against a base of 100 in 2015. That's an increase of 0.5 percent from 2016.

The index includes the prices of energy-related items, but not fresh food.

The officials say higher energy prices pushed up the overall figure. Gasoline and electricity cost more due to a rise in crude oil prices. Consumers also had to pay more for rice.

The CPI is also at its highest level in nearly 20 years. The annual figure has come in below the 100 mark almost every year since 2000.

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