Likewise, higher energy prices account for about half of the recent rise in Japan's inflation rate, excluding factors such as the effects of the reduction in mobile phone charges. Future  5  developments in energy prices entail uncertainties; there may be a reversal in such prices at some point, causing the inflation rate to decline.
Discrimination in housing and lending became illegal in 1968 and 1974, respectively, through passage of the Fair Housing Act, and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. Congress passed laws, such as the Community Reinvestment Act in 1977, to remediate redlining. But history casts a long shadow. How can we—both banks and regulators—understand and address these problems where they persist?