Consumer prices in Japan edged down 0.1 percent year-on-year in September, a decrease for the fifth consecutive month, the internal affairs ministry said Friday. The drop in the reading for the core index, which excludes volatile prices of fresh food, was marginally smaller than a market forecast drop of 0.2 percent, according to Dow Jones Newswires. Japan has been in deflation for years. Local media have reported the Bank of Japan is considering taking further easing steps at a policy meeting next week to fight the persistent deflation.