In May, consumer prices in Japan increased by 2.5% compared to the same month a year earlier, according to data from the country’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

Inflation remained at the April level, which was the highest in 7.5 years and exceeded the 2% mark for the first time since September 2008, excluding the effect of the consumption tax hike. The rise in consumer prices was recorded at the end of the ninth consecutive month.

Experts on average also predicted inflation in May at 2.5%, Trading Economics reported.

Consumer prices excluding fresh food (a key indicator tracked by the Bank of Japan) rose by 2.1% year-on-year in May (2.1% in April), exceeding the central bank’s 2% target for the second consecutive month. The growth rate was the highest since March 2015. Experts on average also predicted core inflation in May at 2.1 percent, Trading Economics reported.

Analysts believe that rising fuel and food prices caused by the situation in Ukraine and the weakening of the Japanese yen are expected to keep inflation in Japan at a high level for most of the year.

Last month, food prices in Japan jumped the most in more than 7 years – by 4.1%, fuel and utilities rose by 14.4%, clothing and footwear – by 0.9%, furniture – by 3.6%.

At the same time, transportation services fell in price by 0.8%, medical care – also by 0.8%.

Consumer prices in Japan in May compared to the previous month rose by 0.2%, the lowest since January, after rising by 0.4% a month earlier.