Summary Wholesale prices rise at slowest annual pace since April 2021Rise in utility bills, food prices moderatesYen-based import prices fall at fastest pace since July 2020TOKYO, July 12 (Reuters) - Japan's wholesale inflation slowed for a sixth straight month in June due to sliding fuel and commodity prices, data showed on Wednesday, a sign the cost-push pressure that drove up consumer prices is steadily easing.
The data underscores the central bank's view that consumer inflation will slow in coming months as global commodity prices slide from last year's peak levels.
But the pace appears to be moderating," Masato Higashi, head of the Bank of Japan's price statistics division, told a briefing.
The rise, which followed a 5.2% gain in May, was the slowest annual pace since April 2021, data by the BOJ showed.
Food and beverage prices increased 7.4% in June, smaller than a 8.0% gain in May, the data showed.
Persons:
Masato Higashi, Leika, Shri Navaratnam
Organizations:
Bank of, Thomson
Locations:
TOKYO