Tokyo tops the latest list of the world's costliest cities, followed by Osaka, the research arm of Britain's Economist magazine said Thursday.
The two cities have held their respective positions since 1991 in the Economist Intelligence Unit's semiannual cost-of-living survey that compares prices in 127 cities.
Using New York as a base of 100, Tokyo scored 165, while Osaka, listed together with its neighbor, Kobe, stood at 164.
"The stronger yen has pushed them even further ahead of third-place Hong Kong," which registered 117 and maintained its position, it said.
Among other Asian cities, Taipei ranked eighth, jumping from 17th last year, and Seoul rose to 14th from 36th. Beijing and Singapore tied at 15th, having placed 12th and 17th, respectively, in 1999.
New York came in 11th place.
In Europe, Oslo, ranked fifth, ousting Zurich as the continent's most expensive city.