Japan's inflation rate surges to decade-high 1.5% in May (by Chris Oliver)

HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Consumer prices in Japan climbed 1.5% in May, exceeding a consensus forecast for a 1.4% rise, according to government data released Friday. The measure of core prices, which excludes fresh food prices, was the biggest jump since 1998 and comes after a 0.9% rise in April. The preliminary figures were released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.