TOKYO, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Japan's core consumer price index (CPI), which excludes volatile fresh food prices, rose 3.1 percent in July from a year earlier, government data showed Friday.
The figure, set at 111.6 against the 2020 base of 100, marked the second straight month of slower growth, following a 3.3 percent rise in June, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
Food prices continued to climb, with non-fresh food items up 8.3 percent, accelerating for the 12th consecutive month.
Coffee beans surged 44.4 percent on poor weather in Brazil, while chicken prices jumped 9.3 percent due to bird flu-related shipment halts.
Rice prices nearly doubled year-on-year, up 90.7 percent, though easing from June's 100.2-percent increase. Processed rice products also climbed, with rice balls up 18.9 percent and sushi meals 7.0 percent higher.
By contrast, energy prices fell 0.3 percent, the first year-on-year decline in 16 months, aided by government subsidies for gasoline that capped prices since May.
Other notable moves included a 6.0-percent rise in hotel accommodation fees on stronger inbound tourism demand, and an 11.8-percent increase in mobile phone charges following new pricing plans by major carriers. ■
