Inflation Japan 2008

Average inflation: 1.4%

Current Inflation

Inflation is low at 1.4%, below the ECB target of 2%.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in July at 2.3%. The lowest inflation was in December at 0.4%.

Highest month
July: 2.3%
Lowest month
December: 0.4%
Difference
1.9 percentage points
Months with data
12 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Transport with an average of 4.7%. The lowest price increase was in Miscellaneous goods and services with an average of -0.9%.

Highest increase
Transport: 4.7%
Lowest increase
Miscellaneous goods and services: -0.9%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 1.1% higher than the 5-year average of 0.3%.

5-year average
0.3%
10-year average
-0.2%
All-time high (1991)
3.3%
All-time low (2002)
-0.9%

Trend

Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2007, inflation has risen by +1.3 percentage point.

Change vs. previous year
+1.3 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
August: +2.3 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 0.6% 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 €101.40 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2008

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
3.0%
+1.6vs avg.
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Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
1.3%
-0.1vs avg.
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Clothing and footwear
0.5%
-0.9vs avg.
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Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
1.5%
+0.1vs avg.
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Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
-0.3%
-1.7vs avg.
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Health
-0.3%
-1.7vs avg.
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Transport
4.7%
+3.3vs avg.
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Communication
-0.1%
-1.5vs avg.
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Recreation and culture
-0.5%
-1.9vs avg.
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Education
0.7%
-0.7vs avg.
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Restaurants and hotels
1.2%
-0.2vs avg.
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Miscellaneous goods and services
-0.9%
-2.3vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2007
January 0.7% +0.7
February 1.0% +1.2
March 1.2% +1.3
April 0.8% +0.8
May 1.3% +1.3
June 2.0% +2.2
July 2.3% +2.3
August 2.1% +2.3
September 2.1% +2.3
October 1.7% +1.4
November 1.0% +0.4
December 0.4% -0.3
Average 1.4%

Data source

Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.

See also