Japan inflation flat at 3.1 percent in August: govt

Japan's consumer price inflation was 3.1 percent in August, unchanged from July, official data showed Friday.

The data, excluding fresh food, came slightly higher than market expectations for a 3.0 percent rise in the world's third-largest economy.

Excluding both food and energy, however, prices rose 4.3 percent, also unchanged from July, according to the internal affairs ministry.

Among key items, mobile phone fees, hotel prices, and fire and earthquake insurance saw increased prices, the ministry said. But electricity and gas bills fell as the government continued subsidies to reduce pressure on families, it said.