Japan · Cycle layer · Indicator

Real policy rate

−1.22 %
Normal 0.86 pp below the −0.37 % trigger · tightening
As of Jul 2026 · Threshold > 10-yr mean + 1 pp, and rising
Recession, Oct 2018 to May 2020−4−3−2−10Threshold > 10-yr mean + 1 pp, and risingTrigger > 10-yr mean + 1 pp, and rising20182020202220242026
2016 to 2026 · percent. Shaded bands are recessions.* *Japan's bands are the Cabinet Office reference dates from the peak month.
What it is

The policy rate minus core CPI inflation (excluding fresh food and energy) over the past year, read at the end of each month: how hard monetary policy is braking. The threshold is the series' own ten-year mean plus one point, so each region has a baseline that fits its history and nothing is estimated. It triggers only while the policy rate is also higher than six months earlier; above the level with rates on hold or falling it is on Watch.

Threshold source: worldstat.us construction: the real rate a point above its ten-year mean while the policy rate is higher than six months earlier. How thresholds are chosen

Known weaknesses

A worldstat.us rule with no published track record. The ten-year mean includes the zero-rate years, which lowers the baseline everywhere. The call rate is a monthly average rather than a target, and was pinned near zero for most of the sample, so the ten-year mean is close to minus inflation.