Inflation Japan 1988
Average inflation: 0.7%
Inflation in 1988
Inflation is very low at 0.7%, well below the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in November at 1.2%. The lowest inflation was in May at 0.2%.
- Highest month
- November: 1.2%
- Lowest month
- May: 0.2%
- Difference
- 1.0 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Education with an average of 3.4%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of -1.4%.
- Highest increase
- Education: 3.4%
- Lowest increase
- Communication: -1.4%
Historical Context
Inflation is around the 5-year average of 1.2%.
- 5-year average
- 1.2%
- 10-year average
- 2.7%
- All-time high (1974)
- 23.2%
- All-time low (1987)
- 0.1%
Trend
Over the period 1986-1988, inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 1987, inflation has risen by 0.6 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- +0.6 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- January: +2.0 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 1.3 percentage points 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 ¥101 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1988
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1987 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0.9% | +2.0 |
| February | 0.7% | +1.7 |
| March | 0.7% | +1.2 |
| April | 0.3% | +0.2 |
| May | 0.2% | +0.2 |
| June | 0.2% | -0.1 |
| July | 0.5% | +0.4 |
| August | 0.7% | +0.3 |
| September | 0.6% | -0.2 |
| October | 1.1% | +0.4 |
| November | 1.2% | +0.5 |
| December | 1.0% | +0.2 |
| Average | 0.7% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.