On the price front, as the output gap continues to narrow, domestic corporate goods prices have been increasing, mainly reflecting the effects of the rise in crude oil prices. They are likely to continue on an increasing trend, but the rate of growth is expected to slow for the time being.
Consumer prices (excluding fresh food) have basically been declining slightly on a year-on-year basis, partly due to the reduction in electricity and telephone charges against the background of such factors as deregulation, and they are projected to continue falling slightly for the time being.