Looking at the price movements of goods and services consumed at home, the consumer price index in March, excluding fresh food, fell 0.1% compared to the same month last year, falling for eight consecutive months.
The main reason for this was lower electricity and gas bills, but the margin of decline was smaller than in the previous month.
The consumer price index for March released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, excluding fresh foods that fluctuate greatly due to the weather, was 101.8 with 2015 as 100, minus 0.1% compared to the same month last year, 8 months. It has fallen in a row.
The main reason for this is that electricity and gas prices have fallen, reflecting the fall in crude oil prices due to the effects of the new coronavirus.
On the other hand, prices of air conditioners and air purifiers, which are selling well due to so-called nesting demand, have risen, and hotel charges, which had been declining until now, have been at the same level as the previous year. It is 0.3 points smaller than the previous month.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said, "Currently, crude oil prices are starting to rise, and electricity and gas prices may rise. However, the impact of mobile phone price cuts will also have an impact, so overall consumer prices I would like to carefully look at how it will affect us. "
In addition, the consumer price index for the last year, which was announced at the same time, was minus 0.4% compared to the previous year, excluding fresh food, the first decline in four years.