Inflation Japan 2017

Average inflation: 0.5%

Current Inflation

Inflation is very low at 0.5%, well below the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in December at 1.0%. The lowest inflation was in March at 0.2%.

Highest month
December: 1.0%
Lowest month
March: 0.2%
Difference
0.8 percentage points
Months with data
12 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Transport with an average of 2.6%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of -3.8%.

Highest increase
Transport: 2.6%
Lowest increase
Communication: -3.8%

Historical Context

Current inflation is around the 5-year average of 0.9%.

5-year average
0.9%
10-year average
0.3%
All-time high (2014)
2.7%
All-time low (2009)
-1.3%

Trend

Inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 2016, the difference is minimal (+0.6 percentage point).

Change vs. previous year
+0.6 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
August: +1.2 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 1.5% 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 €100.50 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2017

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
0.7%
+0.2vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
2.6%
+2.1vs avg.
More details →
Clothing and footwear
0.2%
-0.3vs avg.
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Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
0.5%
+0.0vs avg.
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Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
-0.5%
-1.0vs avg.
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Health
0.9%
+0.4vs avg.
More details →
Transport
2.6%
+2.1vs avg.
More details →
Communication
-3.8%
-4.3vs avg.
More details →
Recreation and culture
0.2%
-0.3vs avg.
More details →
Education
0.6%
+0.1vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
0.5%
-0.0vs avg.
More details →
Miscellaneous goods and services
0.1%
-0.4vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2016
January 0.4% +0.5
February 0.3% +0.1
March 0.2% +0.2
April 0.4% +0.7
May 0.4% +0.9
June 0.4% +0.8
July 0.4% +0.8
August 0.7% +1.2
September 0.7% +1.2
October 0.2% +0.1
November 0.6% +0.1
December 1.0% +0.7
Average 0.5%

Data source

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

See also