Japan Moves Close to Escaping Deflation

More than half way to meeting central bank's 2015 inflation goal

Japanese consumer prices have risen at the fastest pace in five years, showing government policies to end its deflation problem may be taking effect.

Core inflation excluding food rose 1.2% in November from the previous year, surpassing market expectations.

Japan is now more than half-way towards meeting the central bank's goal of achieving 2% inflation by about 2015.