Consumer prices in Japan's capital continue to rise at their fastest pace in more than four decades.

Soaring electricity, gas, and food costs are hitting Tokyo residents especially hard.

The internal affairs ministry says the consumer-price index for January in the city's 23 wards is up 4.3 percent from a year ago. That's the quickest pace since May 1981.

Prices of non-fresh food have shot up 7.4 percent. The reading excludes fresh items because weather conditions cause their prices to fluctuate widely.

Energy is seeing double-digit rises on more expensive raw materials. Gas bills are up 39.0 percent, electricity 24.6 percent.

Tokyo's CPI is considered a leading indicator of inflation nationwide.