Inflation Japan 2018
Average inflation: 1.0%
Current Inflation
Inflation is low at 1.0%, below the ECB target of 2%.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in February at 1.5%. The lowest inflation was in December at 0.3%.
- Highest month
- February: 1.5%
- Lowest month
- December: 0.3%
- Difference
- 1.2 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Transport with an average of 3.4%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of -1.7%.
- Highest increase
- Transport: 3.4%
- Lowest increase
- Communication: -1.7%
Historical Context
Current inflation is around the 5-year average of 1.0%.
- 5-year average
- 1%
- 10-year average
- 0.3%
- All-time high (2014)
- 2.7%
- All-time low (2009)
- -1.3%
Trend
Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2017, inflation has risen by +0.5 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- +0.5 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- February: +1.2 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 1.0% 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 €101.00 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2018
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1.4% | +1.0 |
| February | 1.5% | +1.2 |
| March | 1.1% | +0.9 |
| April | 0.6% | +0.2 |
| May | 0.7% | +0.3 |
| June | 0.7% | +0.3 |
| July | 0.9% | +0.5 |
| August | 1.3% | +0.6 |
| September | 1.2% | +0.5 |
| October | 1.4% | +1.2 |
| November | 0.8% | +0.2 |
| December | 0.3% | -0.7 |
| Average | 1.0% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 11/01/2026.