Domestic wholesale prices in July fell 1.2 percent from a year earlier, marking a 22nd straight month of decline, the Bank of Japan said Thursday.

The domestic wholesale price index stood at 94.4 against the 1995 base of 100. The index was unchanged from June, staying flat for the fifth straight month.

Prices of electrical machinery fell 4.6 percent from a year earlier, while those of pulp and paper products declined 1.6 percent.

Prices of plastic products also fell 1.6 percent, while those of chemicals dropped 2.2 percent.

Prices of coal and petroleum products, however, rose 2.8 percent, while those of steel climbed 1.8 percent.

Export prices, measured in yen terms, dropped 4.7 percent from a year earlier and 3 percent from June due to the appreciation of the yen.

Prices of electrical machinery fell from June, while those of transport equipment and textiles rose.

Import prices, also measured in yen terms, dropped 6.7 percent from a year before and 3.4 percent from June due to the strength of the Japanese currency.

Domestic wholesale prices fell 1 percent in June from a year before.