Japan reshuffles items in CPI basket as population ages

Tokyo

JAPAN is conducting a reshuffle of goods in its consumer price index basket that will ditch items on the kids' menu in exchange for hearing aids to reflect changes in consumer spending caused by its rapidly ageing population.

The reshuffle, which takes place once every five years, removes items from the basket that consumers are spending less on and replaces them with items that shoppers are buying more often.