The key gauge of consumer prices in Tokyo posted a 1.2 percent year-on-year fall in September -- its 24th straight month of decline -- mainly due to falls in housing rents and personal computers, the government said Friday.

The consumer price index for the capital's 23 wards, the leading index of nationwide price moves, was 98.8 against the 2000 base of 100, the Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications Ministry said.

The index, which excludes the volatile prices of perishable foods, fell by the same year-on-year percentage rate as it did in August.

The overall index, including the prices of perishable foods, also fell 1.2 percent in September from a year earlier to 98.8, marking the 25th straight month of decline. The year-on-year decline was 0.2 percentage point smaller than it was in August.

There is "no change in the downward trend," according to a Cabinet Office assessment of the figures, suggesting the economy remains under deflationary pressure.

By item, housing rental costs dipped 1.4 percent, while the cost of PCs and other durable goods for learning and leisure plummeted 21.8 percent. Communications charges dropped 6.8 percent.

Although the cost of rent posted only a small year-on-year difference, it can have a large impact on the overall trend because the rental amounts are comparatively large, a ministry official said.

Compared with the previous month, Tokyo's key index dropped 0.1 percent, a turnaround from a 0.3 percent increase in August. The overall index, including the prices of perishable foods, dropped 0.2 percent.

The ministry reported the key index for the entire nation fell 0.9 percent in August from a year earlier to 99.2, marking its 23rd straight month of decline. The overall index, including the prices of perishable foods, shed 0.7 percent to 99.4 for the 24th consecutive month of decline.

Compared with the month before, the key index rose 0.1 percent and the overall index increased 0.4 percent, both marking turnarounds from July's declines.