Producer prices in Japan edged up 0.5% in July following an increase of 0.2% in June, preliminary figures from the Bank of Japan showed.

Electric power, gas & water made the largest contribution of 0.21% to July's rise.

On an annual basis, the producer price index climbed 3.1% in July following a 2.8% growth in June.

On a contract currency basis, the export price index was down 0.2% in July after a revised decrease of 0.1% in June. The index was up 3.4% on an annual basis.

The import price index increased 0.1% in July after a revised 1.9% in the previous month. The index was up 12.6% on an annual basis.