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Producer prices in Japan increased in February compared with the same month last year, according to data released Wednesday by the Bank of Japan.
The central bank reported that the producer price index climbed by 2.0 percent year on year, reflecting higher costs for several industrial sectors.
The index, which tracks prices of goods traded between businesses, reached 128.3 using 2020 as the base year set at 100.
Despite the increase, the pace of growth slowed compared with January, when producer prices rose by 2.3 percent.
Officials said the slower expansion partly resulted from easing price growth in agricultural, forestry and fishery products.
Rice and other related commodities contributed to the softer movement in the sector during the period.
Food and beverage prices still recorded a notable rise of 4.6 percent, although this was slightly lower than the 5.1 percent increase posted in the previous month as input and transport costs continued to influence prices.
The index covered 515 commodities in total, with 365 items posting higher prices while 127 registered declines during the reporting period.
