In April, consumer prices in Japan increased by 2.5% compared to the same month a year earlier – the highest rate since October 2014, according to data from the country’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. The inflation rate exceeded the 2% mark for the first time since September 2008, excluding the effect of a consumption tax hike, Dow Jones noted.

The rise in consumer prices was noted at the end of the 8th consecutive month. In March, inflation in Japan amounted to 1.2%.

Consumer prices excluding fresh food (a key indicator tracked by the Bank of Japan) rose 2.1% year-on-year in April (0.8% in March), exceeding the central bank’s 2% target for the first time in seven years. The growth rate became the highest since March 2015. Experts on average also forecast core inflation to accelerate to 2.1 percent in April, Trading Economics reported.

Food prices in Japan last month jumped by the maximum in 7 years – by 4%, fuel and utilities rose by 15.7%, clothing and footwear – by 0.8%, furniture – by 2.3%.

At the same time, transportation services fell in price by 0.2%, medical care – by 0.7%.

Consumer prices in Japan in April compared to the previous month rose by 0.4%, the same as in March.