TOKYO, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Japan's underlying inflation rate slowed from March to 0.7 percent in April owing to a contraction in energy prices, the government said in a report Friday.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the year-on-year change in the core consumer price index, which excludes fresh food prices because of their volatility, was positive in the recording month.
This marks the 16th consecutive month of positive readings, the ministry said, although gains had dropped from the 0.9 percent reading booked in March, the latest data set showed, with the figure coming in below median market forecasts for an increase of around 0.8 percent.
The government's data shows the Bank of Japan (BOJ) is continuing to struggle to achieve its 2 percent inflation target despite its massive monetary stimulus measures.
The central bank, which has on numerous occasions delayed the timing for it to achieve its 2 percent inflation goal, said recently it had removed a specific date for achieving its target, citing market reasons.
Meanwhile, the ministry said the "core-core" CPI, which excludes both fresh food and energy prices, increased 0.4 percent from a year earlier.
