Japan's Consumer Prices Rise 2.9% in September

TOKYO, Oct 24 (News On Japan) - Japan's nationwide consumer price index excluding volatile fresh food rose 2.9% in September from a year earlier, the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry announced on October 23rd. The pace of increase slightly expanded from August’s 2.7%, maintaining close to a 3% growth rate amid continued price hikes in food and other daily necessities.

Prices of rice surged 49.2%, marking a sharp increase as costs continued to rise, while chocolate, coffee beans, and chicken also saw significant gains. Telecommunications charges climbed 13.2% due in part to effective price increases stemming from major carriers’ revised service plans.

Meanwhile, under the new tuition support program introduced this year for households earning around 9.1 million yen or more annually, high school tuition fees dropped by 94.1%, helping offset some of the upward pressure.

Although the inflation rate stayed in the 2% range for the second consecutive month, the ministry noted that “it cannot yet be said that price increases have stabilized.”

Source: TBS

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