MNI DATA IMPACT: Japan Nov Core CPI +0.5% Y/Y

     TOKYO (MNI) - Japan's annual core consumer inflation rate continued to pick

up in November driven by higher food prices, according to data from the Ministry

of International Affairs and Communications released on Friday.

     The key points from the latest CPI data:

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

accelerated for a third month at 0.5% year-on-year in November, in line with an

MNI survey and up from 0.4% in October. This represents a 35th straight gain.

     --Energy were costs down by 2.1% year-on-year in November, slower than the

2.7% fall recorded in October.

     --Overall CPI rose 0.5% in November, up from the previous 0.2% y/y gain.

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

fresh food and energy) rose an annualised 0.8% in November, quicker than the

0.7% gain last month. This marked a 28th consecutive increase.

     --Prices for food ex-perishables grew 1.8% y/y in October, up from the 1.7%

growth recorded the previous month. Prices for household durable goods were up

5.4% y/y, decelerating from +6.4% in October.

--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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