Higher energy prices push up Sept. core CPI, 1st rise in 18 months

Japan's core consumer prices rose 0.1 percent in September, the first year-on-year gain in 18 months, pushed up by higher energy prices at a time when the economy remains fragile as a result of the spread of COVID-19, government data showed Friday.But the gain in the nationwide core consumer price index, excluding volatile fresh food items, is unlikely to change the view that the Bank of Japan will need to maintain its monetary easing as it is still far off achieving its 2 percent inflation target.Energy prices rose 7.4 percent from a year earlier, the fastest pace in nearly three years, wi…READ FULL ARTICLE