TOKYO, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Core consumer prices in Tokyo's densely populated 23 wards rose 2.2 percent in November from a year earlier, growing for the 39th consecutive month, government data showed Friday.
The core consumer price index (CPI), which excludes volatile fresh food prices, stood at 108.3 against the 2020 base of 100, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
The pace of gains in electricity and city gas fees accelerated as the government scaled down its subsidies, while rice prices logged their steepest-ever gain, the ministry said.
Prices of food excluding fresh food climbed 4.0 percent year-on-year, reflecting a 62.8 percent surge in rice prices.
Electricity fees jumped 9.7 percent, following a 4.0 percent increase in October, while city gas charges increased 6.9 percent after rising 1.8 percent. ■