Japan core CPI logs fastest rise in 41 yrs in 2023, points to easing

Japan's core consumer prices rose 3.1 percent last year, marking the fastest pace of increase in 41 years, as the cost-of-living crisis deepened without robust wage growth, although inflation slowed in December, government data showed Friday.The yearly increase in the nationwide core consumer price index came despite government subsidies to lower household utility bills, underscoring higher import costs that were inflated by a sharp drop of the yen, a byproduct of the Bank of Japan's monetary easing. Food prices rose 8.2 percent, the most in 48 years.Without the government support that help…READ FULL ARTICLE