Core consumer prices in Japan were up 3.1 percent on year in August, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said on Friday.
That was below forecasts for 3.2 percent and down from 3.3 percent in July.
Overall inflation was up an annual 3.3 percent - matching forecasts and slowing from 3.4 percent in the previous month.
Core consumer prices in Tokyo - considered a leading indicator for the nationwide trend - gained 2.6 percent on year in September. That matched expectations and eased from 2.7 percent in August.
Overall Tokyo CPI gained 2.9 percent versus forecasts for 2.7 percent and up from 2.8 percent in the previous month.
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