Inflation Japan 2025
Average inflation: 3.2%
Inflation in 2025
Inflation is high at 3.2%, well above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in January at 4.0%. The lowest inflation was in December at 2.1%.
- Highest month
- January: 4.0%
- Lowest month
- December: 2.1%
- Difference
- 1.9 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an average of 7.5%. The lowest price increase was in Education with an average of -4.2%.
- Highest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 7.5%
- Lowest increase
- Education: -4.2%
Historical Context
Inflation is 0.9 percentage points higher than the 5-year average of 2.3%. This approaches the highest level since records began (3.3% in 2023).
- 5-year average
- 2.3%
- 10-year average
- 1.3%
- All-time high (2023)
- 3.3%
- All-time low (2009)
- -1.3%
Trend
Over the period 2023-2025, inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 2024, inflation has risen by 0.5 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- +0.5 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- January: +1.8 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 1.2 percentage points above the ECB target of 2.0%. This means purchasing power is declining faster than intended.
Purchasing Power
At this inflation rate, purchasing power noticeably decreases. Without a salary increase, you can buy less with the same money.
What you could buy for ¥100 this year will cost approximately ¥103 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2025
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4.0% | +1.8 |
| February | 3.7% | +0.9 |
| March | 3.6% | +0.9 |
| April | 3.6% | +1.1 |
| May | 3.5% | +0.7 |
| June | 3.3% | +0.5 |
| July | 3.1% | +0.3 |
| August | 2.7% | -0.3 |
| September | 2.9% | +0.4 |
| October | 3.0% | +0.7 |
| November | 2.9% | 0.0 |
| December | 2.1% | -1.5 |
| Average | 3.2% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 26/10/2026.