Japan's consumer prices rise 0.2%

TOKYO - Japan's benchmark consumer prices rose 0.2 percent in March from a year earlier for the second straight month of rise, the government said on Friday.

The core consumer price index came to 100.0 against the 2010 base of 100, according to a report released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

Private sector analysts had forecast a minor rise in the index.

Separate data showed that Japan's average monthly household spending increased an inflation-adjusted 3.4 percent in March from a year before to hit 303,841 yen (about $3,753.89), while the income of salaried households rose 4.3 percent to an average 441,015 yen, the ministry said.