Inflation Japan 1998
Average inflation: 0.7%
Inflation in 1998
Inflation is very low at 0.7%, well below the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in March at 2.2%. The lowest inflation was in August at -0.3%.
- Highest month
- March: 2.2%
- Lowest month
- August: -0.3%
- Difference
- 2.5 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Health with an average of 7.4%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of -2.2%.
- Highest increase
- Health: 7.4%
- Lowest increase
- Communication: -2.2%
Historical Context
Inflation is around the 5-year average of 0.6%.
- 5-year average
- 0.6%
- 10-year average
- 1.5%
- All-time high (1980)
- 7.8%
- All-time low (1995)
- -0.1%
Trend
Over the period 1996-1998, inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 1997, inflation has fallen by 1.0 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- -1.0 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- September: -2.6 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 1998
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1997 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1.8% | +1.2 |
| February | 1.9% | +1.3 |
| March | 2.2% | +1.7 |
| April | 0.4% | -1.5 |
| May | 0.5% | -1.4 |
| June | 0.1% | -2.1 |
| July | -0.1% | -2.0 |
| August | -0.3% | -2.4 |
| September | -0.2% | -2.6 |
| October | 0.2% | -2.3 |
| November | 0.8% | -1.3 |
| December | 0.6% | -1.2 |
| Average | 0.7% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.