Japan's annual inflation rises 2.5% for 2nd straight month

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - Japan's annual inflation rose 2.5% in May for the second consecutive month, according to data released by the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry on Friday.

While the figure came in line with market expectation, annual inflation also increased 2.5% in April, which was the highest gain in more than seven years.

Monthly inflation in the country increased 0.2% from the previous month on a seasonally adjusted basis, again in line with market estimate, but it showed a slowdown from 0.4% monthly gain in April.

The core inflation, which excludes food prices, annually rose 2.1% in May from the same month a year ago, coming in line with market expectation. It increased 2.1% in April on an annual basis.