A key gauge of consumer prices in Tokyo edged down 0.3 percent in fiscal 2003 for the fifth straight annual decline.

The Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications Ministry said Friday in a preliminary report that the consumer price index for Tokyo's 23 wards, excluding perishable food prices, was 97.4 for the current fiscal year, against the base of 100 for 2000.

Including perishables, the CPI for Tokyo declined 0.4 percent to 97.4 for the fifth consecutive yearly decline.