Inflation Japan 1986

Average inflation: 0.6%

Current Inflation

Inflation is very low at 0.6%, well below the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in February at 1.8%. The lowest inflation was in October at -0.3%.

Highest month
February: 1.8%
Lowest month
October: -0.3%
Difference
2.1 percentage points
Months with data
12 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Education with an average of 3.7%. The lowest price increase was in Transport with an average of -4.1%.

Highest increase
Education: 3.7%
Lowest increase
Transport: -4.1%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 1.3% lower than the 5-year average of 1.9%. This approaches the lowest level since records began (0.6% in 1986).

5-year average
1.9%
10-year average
3.9%
All-time high (1974)
23.2%
All-time low (1986)
0.6%

Trend

Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 1985, inflation has fallen by +1.5 percentage point.

Change vs. previous year
-1.5 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
October: -2.6 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 1.4% below the ECB target of 2.0%. Too low inflation may indicate economic weakness.

Purchasing Power

At this inflation rate, purchasing power gradually decreases. The impact on daily expenses is relatively limited.

What you could buy for €100 this year will cost approximately €100.60 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 1986

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
-0.2%
-0.8vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
1.1%
+0.5vs avg.
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Clothing and footwear
2.2%
+1.6vs avg.
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Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
0.3%
-0.3vs avg.
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Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
-0.0%
-0.7vs avg.
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Health
1.9%
+1.3vs avg.
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Transport
-4.1%
-4.7vs avg.
More details →
Communication
-0.4%
-1.0vs avg.
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Recreation and culture
1.3%
+0.7vs avg.
More details →
Education
3.7%
+3.1vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
1.9%
+1.3vs avg.
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Miscellaneous goods and services
2.9%
+2.3vs avg.
More details →

Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 1985
January 1.5% -1.4
February 1.8% +0.3
March 1.3% -0.5
April 1.0% -1.0
May 1.1% -0.7
June 0.6% -1.9
July 0.1% -2.3
August 0.1% -2.2
September 0.5% -1.2
October -0.3% -2.6
November 0.0% -1.9
December -0.3% -2.2
Average 0.6%

Data source

Data from OECD. Last updated: 11/01/2026.

See also