MNI DATA IMPACT: Japan April Core CPI Picks Up to 0.9% Y/Y

     TOKYO (MNI) - Japan's core inflation quickened to an annual 0.9% in April

from March's 0.8%, with prices for food and durable goods accelerating, data

from the Ministry of International Affairs and Communication released Friday

showed.

     Some notable points from the data:

     --The core consumer price index (excluding fresh food) rose for a 28th

consecutive month at 0.9% y/y, in line with the MNI survey. 

     --Overall CPI rose 0.9% y/y in April, up from 0.5% y/y in the previous

month. 

     --The underlying inflation rate, measured by the core-core CPI (excluding

fresh food and energy) increased 0.6% y/y, faster than the 0.4% y/y reported in

March, marking the 22th month of gain.

     --Prices for food ex-perishable accelerated to 0.9% from March's 0.8%, and

prices for household durable goods followed by rising 6.2% from the 5.5% in

March. Prices for overseas tourism also jumped 15.1% from last month's 5.2%

growth.

     --Energy costs slowed to 4.6% y/y in April, with a contribution of 0.35pp,

having risen 5.1% last month contributing 0.39pp. 

--MNI Beijing Bureau; tel: +86 (10) 8532-5998; email: flora.guo@marketnews.com

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com

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