The forecasts assume the following: (1) the consumption tax will be raised to 10 percent in October 2019 and a reduced tax rate will be applied to food and beverages -- excluding alcohol and dining out -- and newspapers, and (2) with regard to policies concerning the provision of free education, free early childhood education and such measures as free higher education will be introduced in October 2019 and April 2020, respectively.
Chart 6  CPI s.a., y/y % chg.  2.0 All items less fresh food (core CPI)  1.5  All items less fresh food and energy  1.0  0.5  0.0  -0.5  -1.0 CY 2013/Apr. Oct.  14/Apr. Oct.  15/Apr. Oct.  16/Apr. Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.