TOKYO, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Japan's core consumer prices rose 2pokertour.5 percent in May from a year earlier, with the pace of increase accelerating from 2.2 percent in April, the government said in a report on Friday.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the increase in the nationwide core consumer price index (CPI), excluding fresh food prices because of their volatility, remained at or above the Bank of Japan's 2 percent target for the 26th straight month.

The core-core CPI, which strips away both energy and food prices, rose 2.1 percent, underscoring persistent inflationary pressures, the data showed.

Local analysts attributed the increase to soaring energy costs. Electricity bills climbed 14.7 percent year on year during the month, leading to a 7.2 percent increase in energy prices, the data showed.

In addition, food prices rose 3.2 percent.

"Items not directly related to domestic demand, such as food and energy, account for 60 percent of the inflation, indicating that cost-push inflation remains predominant," said Sayuri Shirai, professor at Keio University, adding that inflation rate is expected to rise further in June.■