Affected by a drop in fuel prices, Japan's nationwide core consumer price index fell 0.1 percent in February, marking the first decline in 10 months, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said Friday.

The core nationwide CPI, which excludes perishables, stood at 99.4 in February against the base of 100 for 2005, the ministry said in a report.

Market watchers said, given the weak CPI, the Bank of Japan is unlikely to raise its benchmark interest rate until the fall.