BlockBeats news, December 26, Tokyo's inflation rate fell more than expected, as pressures from food and energy prices eased, but this is unlikely to stop the Bank of Japan from continuing to raise interest rates. Data released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on Friday showed that the consumer price index (CPI) in Tokyo, excluding fresh food, rose 2.3% year-on-year in December, a significant slowdown from 2.8% in the previous month. This marks the first slowdown in inflation since August, primarily reflecting a deceleration in food price increases and a decline in energy costs. Economists had previously expected this indicator to slow to 2.5%. The overall inflation index fell from 2.7% in the same period last year to 2.0%; while the deeper inflation index excluding energy prices also slowed to 2.6%. Tokyo's inflation data is often seen as a leading indicator for the national inflation trend. Despite the significant slowdown in overall inflation data, it remains above the Bank of Japan's 2% target, keeping the central bank on track for further tightening of policies. (Jin Shi)