Inflation Japan 2019

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 April at 0.9%. The lowest inflation was in January at 0.2%.

Highest month
April: 0.9%
Lowest month
January: 0.2%
Difference
0.7 percentage points
Months with data
12 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance with an average of 2.2%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of -3.0%.

Highest increase
Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance: 2.2%
Lowest increase
Communication: -3.0%

Historical Context

Current inflation is around the 5-year average of 0.5%.

5-year average
0.5%
10-year average
0.5%
All-time high (2014)
2.7%
All-time low (2009)
-1.3%

Trend

Inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 2018, the difference is minimal (-0.5 percentage point).

Change vs. previous year
-0.5 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
February: -1.3 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 2019

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
0.2%
-0.3vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
1.4%
+0.9vs avg.
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Clothing and footwear
0.4%
-0.1vs avg.
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Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
0.8%
+0.3vs avg.
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Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
2.2%
+1.7vs avg.
More details →
Health
0.6%
+0.1vs avg.
More details →
Transport
-0.3%
-0.8vs avg.
More details →
Communication
-3.0%
-3.5vs avg.
More details →
Recreation and culture
1.6%
+1.1vs avg.
More details →
Education
-1.6%
-2.0vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
1.6%
+1.1vs avg.
More details →
Miscellaneous goods and services
0.3%
-0.2vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2018
January 0.2% -1.2
February 0.2% -1.3
March 0.5% -0.6
April 0.9% +0.3
May 0.7% 0.0
June 0.7% 0.0
July 0.5% -0.4
August 0.3% -1.0
September 0.2% -1.0
October 0.2% -1.2
November 0.5% -0.3
December 0.8% +0.5
Average 0.5%

Data source

Data from OECD. Last updated: 10/01/2026.

See also