2014.04.2421:45:00UTC+00Tokyo CPI Hints At End To Deflation

Overall inflation for the Tokyo region, considered a leading indicator for the nationwide trend, spiked 2.9 percent on year in April, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said on Friday.

That was slightly below expectations for 3.0 percent but up sharply from 1.3 percent in March - perhaps finally signaling an end to the deflation that has hampered the nation for more than 15 years, although the recently implemented consumption tax hike also is likely a factor.

The Bank of Japan has set a target of 2 percent for inflation and has been working steadily toward that end - most recently increasing the monetary base at an annual pace of JPY 60 trillion to JPY 70 trillion.

The central bank has also left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 0 to 0.1 percent.

Core CPI for Tokyo jumped 2.7 percent on year in April - also below expectations for 2.8 percent but up from 1.0 percent a month earlier.

Among the individual components, prices for fuel jumped 6.3 percent on year, followed by recreation (5.1 percent), food (4.4 percent), furniture (4.3 percent), communication (2.9 percent), education (2.8 percent), clothing (2.0 percent) and medical care (1.1 percent).

On a monthly basis, overall Tokyo inflation and core CPI both jumped 2.0 percent.

Among the individual components, prices for clothing spiked 4.1 percent on month, followed by recreation (4.0 percent), furniture (3.1 percent), food (2.4 percent), education (2.2 percent), communication and medical care (both 2.0 percent) and fuel (1.5 percent).

Nationwide consumer prices in Japan were up 1.6 percent on year in March - in line with expectations and up from 1.5 percent in February.

Core CPI, which strips out the volatile costs of food, added an annual 1.3 percent - unchanged from the previous month but shy of forecasts for 1.4 percent.

Among the individual components, prices for fuel surged 6.3 percent on year, followed by food (2.4 percent), furniture (1.6 percent), recreation (1.4 percent), communication (1.2 percent), education (0.8 percent) and clothing (0.4 percent).

On a monthly basis, overall inflation and core CPI both added 0.3 percent.

Among the individual components, prices for clothing climbed 2.8 percent on month, followed by recreation (0.7 percent), fuel (0.5 percent), communication (0.3 percent) and education and medical care (both 0.1 percent).