Japan Nov. consumer prices rise 3.7%, highest since 1981

Core consumer prices in Japan climbed 3.7 percent in November, a nearly 41-year high, as increased import prices for food and energy, exacerbated by a weaker yen, maintained inflationary pressure, the government said Friday.The nationwide core consumer price index, excluding volatile fresh food items, rose for the 15th straight month. The gain of 3.7 percent was the largest since December 1981.Core CPI remained above the Bank of Japan's 2 percent target for the eighth straight month, data by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications showed, having been pushed up by higher import c…READ FULL ARTICLE