Japan Inflation Eases to 1.6 Percent in February

Mar 24, 2026 | News On Japan

Mar 24, 2026 (News On Japan) - Japan’s nationwide consumer price index rose 1.6 percent in February from a year earlier, marking the first time in nearly four years that the rate has fallen below 2 percent, largely due to the abolition of a temporary gasoline tax rate and the impact of government subsidies.

According to data released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the nationwide CPI excluding fresh food, which is subject to significant price fluctuations, increased 1.6 percent compared to the same month last year.

While the rate of increase remains relatively high due in part to rising food prices, the return to the 1 percent range marks the first time since March 2022, a span of three years and eleven months.

Food prices continued to climb sharply, with rice rising 17.1 percent, coffee beans surging 51.4 percent, chocolate increasing 26.9 percent, yellowtail up 23.4 percent, and prepared curry meals rising 12.3 percent.

In addition, mobile communication charges rose 11.0 percent, while accommodation fees increased 6.0 percent amid a recovery in inbound tourism demand.

On the other hand, government subsidies for electricity and gas contributed to declines in utility costs, with electricity prices falling 8.0 percent and city gas prices down 8.2 percent. Gasoline prices also dropped 14.9 percent following the removal of the temporary tax rate.

Furthermore, high school tuition fees fell sharply by 94.1 percent due to a government support program introduced last year targeting households with annual incomes of approximately 9.1 million yen or more. As a result, the overall index excluding fresh food declined 0.3 percent compared to the previous month.

Typhoon No. 7 Mekkhala Could Fuel Heavy Rain Across Japan Next Week

Typhoon No. 7, named Mekkhala, formed east of the Philippines at 3 a.m. on June 20 and is expected to strengthen early next week before possibly moving toward the Sakishima Islands, while moist air around the storm could later feed a rainy season front stalled near Honshu and raise the risk of heavy rain across western and eastern Japan. As of 3 p.m. on June 20, the typhoon had a central pressure of 1,000 hectopascals and maximum sustained winds of 20 meters per second near its center. It was moving west-northwest at 20 kilometers per hour. Satellite images showed a large mass of swirling clouds over waters far south of Japan, though the cloud vortex was still not clearly defined, indicating that the storm had not yet developed significantly.

Japan Finds Unexpected Support in Monterrey

Japan will face Tunisia in its second match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 21 in Monterrey, a northern Mexican city known for its mountains, modern skyline and unexpectedly strong connections with Japan.

Risk Of Major Mosquito Outbreak This Summer

Mosquitoes are appearing earlier than usual this year, raising fears of a major summer outbreak as experts warn that warm May weather and repeated light rain have created ideal breeding conditions across residential areas.

Bears Growing More Aggressive in June and July

Bear attacks and sightings are increasing across Japan, with multiple people injured on June 17 and experts warning that bears are becoming more accustomed to human environments, potentially leading to more dangerous and unpredictable encounters in the years ahead.

Supreme Class Debuts on Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen

JR Central and JR West on June 17 announced pricing and service details for the new private-room seating that will be introduced on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen from October, creating a new top-tier class above the existing Green Car service.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Tokyo Elementary School Fire Injures 11 Pupils And Teachers

Eleven pupils and teachers were injured after a fire broke out at Takinogawa Daisan Elementary School in Tokyo's Kita Ward at around 11 a.m. on June 19, forcing more than 300 children to evacuate and briefly trapping several pupils on a narrow ledge outside a fourth-floor classroom.

Cargo Ship Runs Aground Off Toshima

A cargo ship carrying vehicles from Osaka to Tokyo ran aground off Toshima in the Izu Islands before dawn on June 19, creating an unusual scene in which a large freighter appeared to have docked at a part of the island with no port.

Mother of Divine Messenger Arrested Over Teen's Captivity

Nara Prefectural Police have arrested the mother of a man accused of leading a group that allegedly confined the 19-year-old son of a company executive, expanding an investigation that has already led to the arrests of the victim's father and six others.

Man Surrenders in Theft of 800 Agricultural Containers

A suspect has surrendered to police in connection with the theft of about 800 agricultural containers in Gyokuto, Kumamoto Prefecture, a case that caused losses estimated at around 1 million yen and left the victimized company struggling to replace the stolen equipment.

Japanese Man Arrested as Mastermind of Cambodia-Based Scam Network

A Japanese man suspected of serving as a key coordinator for a Cambodia-based fraud syndicate that allegedly caused losses totaling billions of yen was arrested by Japanese authorities after being deported from Thailand on June 16.

Hokkaido Mosque Destroyed in Arson Attack; Suspect Rearrested

A 37-year-old man previously arrested for allegedly attempting to set fire to a company and residence operated by a Pakistani national in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, has been rearrested on suspicion of setting a blaze that destroyed a mosque building used as an Islamic place of worship.

Deadly House Fire in Hamamatsu Claims One Life

A man was found dead after a house fire destroyed a residence in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, early on June 16, after a police officer on patrol spotted smoke and flames rising from the property.

32-Year-Old Master Devotes His Life to Stone Skipping

A stone-skipping tournament on the Nagara River in Gifu Prefecture has drawn attention to 32-year-old Kosei Kigo of Nagoya, whose extraordinary dedication to the childhood pastime includes spending hours searching for the perfect stones, taking private coaching lessons, and competing against some of Japan's top athletes in pursuit of stone-skipping mastery.

< 2 3 4 5 >