21.05.202623:30:00UTC+00Japan’s Inflation Eases Slightly as April National CPI Dips to 1.4% YoY

Japan’s national consumer price index (CPI) slowed modestly in April 2026, with annual inflation easing to 1.4% year-over-year from 1.5% in March, according to data updated on 21 May 2026. The figure measures price changes compared with the same month a year earlier, indicating that overall consumer price growth remains subdued.

The April reading marks a slight deceleration in inflation momentum, as the previous month’s 1.5% increase was also measured against March a year earlier on a year-over-year basis. The new data suggest that price pressures in Japan remain contained, with no significant acceleration in consumer prices evident so far in the second quarter.

The modest softening in headline inflation will be closely watched by market participants and policymakers assessing the trajectory of Japan’s price dynamics in 2026, particularly in the context of ongoing efforts to sustain stable, positive inflation without undermining consumer purchasing power.