Japan's core consumer prices increase 2.5% on year in May

Core consumer prices in Japan rose 2.5 percent in May compared to a year earlier, reflecting higher energy costs and elevated food prices, government data showed Friday.The increase in the nationwide core consumer price index, which excludes volatile fresh food, remained at or above the Bank of Japan's 2 percent target for the 26th straight month. Core inflation accelerated from 2.2 percent in April.Core-core CPI, which strips away both energy and fresh food, increased 2.1 percent, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.Energy prices rose 7.2 percent, with electric…READ FULL ARTICLE