MNI DATA IMPACT: Japan Oct Core CPI +0.4% Y/Y; Food A Driver

     TOKYO (MNI) - Japan's annual core consumer inflation rate quickened in

October, driven by food ex-perishables, household durable goods and

accommodation price hike, data from the Ministry of International Affairs and

Communication released Friday showed.

     The key points from the latest CPI data:

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

rose 0.4% on year in October, up from 0.3% in September and in line with an MNI

survey, recording a 34nd straight year-on-year gain.

     --Energy costs dipped further, down by 2.7% on year in October, following

September's 1.9% drop.

     --Overall CPI rose 0.2% on year in October, unchanged from the previous

month.

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

fresh food and energy) rose 0.7% on year in October, quicker than the 0.5% gain

last month, marking a 27th consecutive year-on-year rise.

     --Prices for food ex-perishables grew 1.7% y/y in October, up from the 1.0%

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

up 6.4% y/y, accelerating from +6.0% in September.

--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

[TOPICS: MAJDS$,M$A$$$,M$J$$$]