Tokyo Core Consumer Prices Up 2 Pct in Sept.

   Tokyo, Sept. 27 (Jiji Press)--The core consumer price index for Tokyo's densely populated 23 special wards in September rose 2.0 pct from a year earlier, the internal affairs ministry said Friday.
   The index, which excludes often volatile fresh food prices, stood at 107.3 against the 2020 base of 100, rising for 37 consecutive months. But its growth rate shrank from the previous month for the first time in five months.
   While rice prices leaped at their fastest pace in 49 years, the resumption of government subsidies aimed at lowering utility bills slowed the growth of electricity and gas prices.
   Electricity bills climbed 14.1 pct, compared with a 24.2 pct jump in August, and city gas rates went up 9.3 pct, slower than the previous month's 16.9 pct rise. The utility subsidies were revived for usage from August, affecting bills from September.
   Among food items, rice prices soared 41.4 pct, the largest rise since September 1975, when the prices jumped 49.4 pct. Although the rice supply shortage that worsened in August is being resolved this month, higher prices for newly harvested rice contributed to the sharp increase in overall rice prices.

(2024/09/27-13:37)

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