Japanese core CPI hits five-year high.

 Japan's core CPI, which excludes fresh food, has increased to its highest level since November 2008, edging up to +0.8% on year in August from +0.7 in July. However, most of the increase was due to rising gasoline prices and the weaker yen, and CPI data that excludes energy as well as food remained negative with a drop of 0.1%. Still, prices of consumer-electronic equipment and other durable leisure goods increased for the first time since 1992.