Tokyo Core Consumer Prices Log Steepest Rise in 2 Years

   Tokyo, April 25 (Jiji Press)--The core consumer price index for Tokyo's densely populated 23 special wards rose 3.4 pct in April from a year earlier, the steepest increase in two years, led by a surge in rice prices, government data showed Friday.
   The core CPI, which excludes often volatile fresh food prices, stood at 110.0 against the 2020 base of 100, growing for 44 months in a row, the internal affairs ministry said in a preliminary report.
   Rice prices jumped 93.8 pct, marking the seventh consecutive month of the largest increase on record. Retail rice prices have not yet begun to fall, although government-stockpiled rice, released in an effort to curb soaring rice prices, has started to hit store shelves.
   Food prices excluding fresh items rose 6.4 pct, higher than a 5.6 pct in March. The high rice prices also led to a 15.8 pct increase in prices of "onigiri" rice balls and an 8.3 pct increase in sushi prices.
   The pace of rise in energy prices accelerated due to a reduction in government subsidies aimed at reducing the burden of electricity and gas bills. Electricity fees rose 13.1 pct, against an 8.5 pct rise in the previous month, and city gas charges grew 4.8 pct, compared with a 2.0 pct increase.

(2025/04/25-12:29)