Inflation Japan 2021

Average inflation: -0.7%

Current Inflation

There is deflation with consumer prices declining by 0.7%.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in March at -0.4%. The lowest inflation was in April at -1.1%.

Highest month
March: -0.4%
Lowest month
April: -1.1%
Difference
0.7 percentage points
Months with data
6 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics with an average of 2.6%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of -7.5%.

Highest increase
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics: 2.6%
Lowest increase
Communication: -7.5%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 1.0% lower than the 5-year average of 0.3%.

5-year average
0.3%
10-year average
0.5%
All-time high (2014)
2.7%
All-time low (2009)
-1.3%

Trend

Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 2020, inflation has fallen by +0.7 percentage point.

Change vs. previous year
-0.7 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
January: -1.4 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 2.7% below the ECB target of 2.0%. Too low inflation may indicate economic weakness.

Purchasing Power

Due to deflation, purchasing power increases. Money becomes more valuable instead of less.

What you could buy for €100 this year will cost approximately €99.30 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2021

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
-0.6%
+0.1vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
2.6%
+3.3vs avg.
More details →
Clothing and footwear
0.7%
+1.4vs avg.
More details →
Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
-0.8%
-0.1vs avg.
More details →
Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
2.5%
+3.2vs avg.
More details →
Health
-0.3%
+0.4vs avg.
More details →
Transport
1.5%
+2.2vs avg.
More details →
Communication
-7.5%
-6.8vs avg.
More details →
Recreation and culture
0.5%
+1.2vs avg.
More details →
Education
-0.5%
+0.2vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
0.1%
+0.8vs avg.
More details →
Miscellaneous goods and services
0.8%
+1.5vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2020
January -0.7% -1.4
February -0.5% -0.9
March -0.4% -0.8
April -1.1% -1.2
May -0.8% -0.9
June -0.5% -0.6
Average -0.7%

Data source

Data from OECD. Last updated: 11/01/2026.Not all months available yet.

See also