Core consumer prices in Japan were down 0.1 percent on year in December, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said on Friday - in line with forecasts following the 0.2 percent contraction in November.
Overall CPI came in at -0.2 percent on year, also matching expectations after showing a 0.5 percent fall in the previous month.
On month, core CPI and overall CPI were both flat.
Core inflation for Tokyo - considered a leading indicator for the nationwide trend - was down 0.4 percent on year in January. That missed forecasts for a 0.3 percent contraction, which would have been unchanged from the previous month.
Overall CPI for Tokyo was at -0.3 percent, beating forecasts for -0.4 percent - which also would have been unchanged.
On month, Tokyo's overall CPI was down 0.3 percent and core CPI plunged 0.7 percent.
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