TOKYO, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Core consumer prices in Tokyo's densely populated 23 wards rose 1.8 percent in October from a year earlier as subsidies held down energy prices, government data showed Friday.

The core consumer price index (CPI), which excludes volatile fresh food prices, stood at 107.9 against the 2020 base of 100, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

Despite the index rising for 38 months in a row, its growth fell below 2 percent for the first time in five months.

Prices of food excluding fresh food climbed 3.8 percent year-on-year, reflecting a 62.3 percent surge in rice prices.

While rice prices logged the steepest rise since at least 1971 when data-taking began, gains in energy prices were capped by government subsidies, aimed at reducing the burden of electricity and gas bills on consumers.

Tokyo's CPI is considered a leading indicator of nationwide inflation, which will be released on Nov. 22. Enditem

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