To better reflect today's cost of living, the Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications Ministry is adding 71 new items to the basket of goods it tracks in its monthly index on consumer prices.
The changes will be reflected in the index figures to be released Aug. 31.
By including personal computers and other items subject to large discounts, the changes are expected to reflect intensifying deflation, placing additional pressure for further easing on the Bank of Japan, economists said.