This is because the negative contribution from (weak) rice prices is likely to dissipate and the effects of a reduction in electricity and telephone charges are also expected to ease.

[So-called core prices have risen in only one month since April 1998. They fell 0.1 percent in August from a year earlier, a government report showed Sept. 30. The point at which core prices reach stable gains] is getting pretty close, ... That means interest rates will eventually head toward positive territory.

The year-on-year rate of change in consumer prices is projected to be zero percent or to show a slight increase towards the end of this year.

[The time by which core prices will achieve stable gains] is getting pretty close, ... That means interest rates will eventually head toward positive territory.

We firmly cannot agree to adhere to calls to continue with an abnormal policy forever.

There is a high chance that core consumer prices will turn to be positive toward the end of the year.

The Japanese economy has finally crawled out of a lull which began in the summer of last year and is continuing to recover.

Rises in prices may not accelerate, but it's unlikely that they will fall back into negative territory once they start rising.

People think the withdrawal of monetary accommodation is about to get under way. People can price it in before any possible change (in monetary policy) on a global basis.