Sushi joins Japan 'shop basket'

Sushi's popularity means it is included in the shopping basket

Japan's love of raw fish is due to be further confirmed this week when the price of conveyor belt sushi joins the country's inflation "shopping basket".

Like most countries, Japan has a list of top-selling items whose price it tracks to determine its inflation rate.

The price of sushi at restaurants where it is served from conveyor belts is now joining the list along with the latest generation flatscreen televisions.

Pencils and sewing machines are being removed from the basket to make way.

In the latest changes to the list of inflation-tracking products, Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is adding 34 items while dropping or combining 48.

'Overcoming deflation'

Economists estimate the changes will reduce Japan's consumer price index by 0.2% to 0.3%.

The Japanese government is keen to see moderate inflation continue as the economy recovers from a period of deflation.

"The revisions won't affect the view that the economy is well on its way to overcoming deflation for good," said Naoki Iizuka, chief economist at Dai-ichi Life Research Institute.

"There should be plenty of evidence by the October-December quarter that will show prices have shaken off the risk of falling back into decline."

Earlier this year, the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) added digital music players to its inflation shopping basket.

In recent years it has also added Champagne and condoms.