The Bank of Japan published preliminary figures for the Services Producer Price Index for April 2026, showing the all-items index rose 3.0 percent year on year to 114.3. The index excluding international transportation increased 2.5 percent to 113.6. Both measures rose 0.5 percent from March, while the annual pace eased from revised March readings of 3.3 percent for all items and 2.9 percent excluding international transportation. The headline increase remained supported by transportation and postal activities, which rose 5.1 percent year on year, with international transportation prices up 49.3 percent, including ocean freight transportation up 59.1 percent and international air freight transportation up 40.6 percent. Information and communications prices rose 2.7 percent, helped by access charges up 9.5 percent, and leasing and rental increased 5.3 percent. The slowdown from March reflected weaker annual price growth in areas including advertising services, real estate services, building maintenance, other technical services, hotels, machinery repair and maintenance, and security services, partly offset by faster increases in worker dispatching services. The next monthly report is scheduled for June 24, 2026.
Bank of Japan2026-05-27
Bank of Japan reports preliminary April services producer prices up 3.0 percent and 2.5 percent excluding international transportation
The Bank of Japan reported that the Services Producer Price Index rose 3.0 percent year on year in April 2026 (2.5 percent excluding international transportation), with both measures up 0.5 percent from March but at a slower annual pace. Price gains were driven mainly by transportation and postal activities, particularly sharp increases in international transportation, alongside higher information and communications and leasing and rental prices, while weaker growth in several service categories moderated the overall rise.