Kathmandu. Japan’s consumer price index is expected to grow by an average of 3.1 percent in 2025. This is the fourth year in a row that consumer prices in Japan have risen, government data showed on Friday.

Rice prices rose 67.5 percent in 2025, the largest increase in comparative data available since 1971, according to government data. The rise in rice prices has had a major impact on Japan’s food prices.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI), which excludes fresh food items, rose 2.4 percent in December from a year earlier. This was lower than November’s 3 per cent growth rate and the first slowdown in four months. The data shows that the government has given subsidy on petroleum products to bring some stability in the price rise.

Energy prices in the month were 3% higher than the previous year. It fell 1 percent, reversing the 2.5 percent growth seen in November. However, prices of food items, excluding fresh food, rose 6.7 percent, down from November’s 7 percent increase.

The basic price has been set at Rs 2,000 per cent in December, excluding both energy and fresh food. It has been reduced to 9 percent, which was 3 percent a month ago. This indicates that some stabilization in Japan’s price increases is coming, but the prices of food and other essential commodities are still high.

According to analysts, this price increase could increase the pressure on Japan’s economy in long-term inflation and the cost of living. The government is expected to focus on measures to control price rises and reduce consumer burden in its upcoming economic policies.