JAPAN CONSUMER PRICES UNCHANGED IN FEBRUARY
Japan's consumer price index (base 1985)
was unchanged at 99.7 in February from a month earlier, the
government's Management and Coodination Agency said.
    The index showed a 0.4 pct drop in January.
    The February index was down one pct from a year earlier for
the third consecutive year-on-year drop.
    In January, the index fell 1.1 pct from a year earlier, the
first drop of over one pct since a 1.3 pct drop in September
1958.
    In February petrol prices increased but winter clothing
prices stayed low and vegetable prices fell.
    The February year on year fall was due to lower vegetable,
fuel oil, petrol, electricity and gas prices, and despite
higher housing, education, footwear and clothing costs.
    The unadjusted consumer price index for the Tokyo area
(base 1985) in mid-March rose 0.4 pct from a month earlier to
100.6, reflecting higher vegetable prices.
    The index fell 0.3 pct year on year, the third consecutive
yearly drop, reflecting lower food and utility costs.
 REUTER
