A leading gauge of inflation in Japan was down in November for the 9th straight month. Officials at Japan's Internal Affairs Ministry say the consumer price index was 0.4% lower than the same month last year. The CPI does not include fresh food, Japan's broadcaster (NHK World) reported. 

    The index was 0.1% higher than a year before when all types of energy and food were excluded. That number rose 2 months in a row. The preliminary consumer price index for Tokyo's 23 wards in December, which indicates nationwide price trends, was down 0.6% year-on-year. That's the 10th straight monthly decline.