According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan, consumer prices in the country in January increased by 4.3% in annual terms, the fastest pace since December 1981. Thus, the rate of inflation accelerated compared to 4% in December. The indicator coincided with the consensus forecast of analysts. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose by 0.4% In December, the increase was 0.3%. In particular, food in Japan last month rose by 7.3%, clothing – by 3.1%, furniture and household goods – by 7.7%, medical care – by 0.5%, educational services – by 0.7%, transport and telecommunications services – by 2.1%. The cost of utilities increased by 14.9%, including electricity rose by 20.2%, gas – by 24.3%. Inflation excluding fresh food (a key indicator tracked by the country's Central Bank) was 4.2% in January compared to the same month of the previous year – the rate of price growth was also the highest since September 1981. Inflation excluding food and energy increased to 3.2% from 3% a month earlier.
