MNI DATA IMPACT: Japan Jan Core CPI Edged Up On Energy Costs

--Japan Jan Core CPI +0.8% Y/Y; MNI Median +0.7%; Dec +0.7% Y/Y

--Japan Jan Core-Core CPI +0.8% Y/Y; Dec +0.9% Y/Y

--Japan Jan CPI Energy Costs +0.8% Y/Y; Dec -0.6% Y/Y

     TOKYO (MNI) - Japan's annual core consumer inflation rate climbed on a

monthly basis in January on the back of higher energy prices, according to data

from the Ministry of International Affairs and Communication released on Friday.

     The key points from the latest CPI data:

     -- The national average core consumer price index (excluding fresh food)

rose for a 37th straight month in January, rising 0.8% y/y and accelerating

slightly from a gain of 0.7% recorded in December and also projected by the MNI

median forecast.

     -- Energy costs edged up 0.8% y/y, wiping off the 0.6% y/y fall seen over

the previous month, marking the first monthly rise in six months.

     --Overall CPI rose 0.7% y/y in January, slower than the 0.8% y/y reported

in December.

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

fresh food and energy) rose 0.8% y/y in January, down from 0.9% y/y gain in

November, the 31th consecutive year-on-year rise, the data showed.

     -- Prices for ex-perishables rose 1.9% y/y in January, up from 1.8% y/y

growth in December. Prices for household spending were up 2.8% y/y, slower than

the 3.3% y/y gain in the previous month. 

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

--MNI Sydney Bureau; +61 405322399; email: lachlan.colquhoun.ext@marketnews.com

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