Inflation Japan 2008
Average inflation: 1.4%
Inflation in 2008
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
Inflation is 1.1 percentage points 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
Over the period 2006-2008, inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2007, inflation has risen by 1.3 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- +1.3 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- August: +2.3 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 0.6 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 2008
Inflation by category
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.