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What Drives Trend Inflation in Japan? : A Trend-Cycle BVAR Decomposition Approach

Author

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  • Ryuichiro Hirano

    (Bank of Japan)

  • Yutaro Takano

    (Bank of Japan)

  • Kosuke Takatomi

    (Bank of Japan)

Abstract

This paper estimates Japan's trend inflation and its determinants using a trend-cycle BVAR decomposition. The estimation results indicate that trend inflation in Japan remained subdued as the public had gradually lowered their medium- to long-term inflation expectations following the collapse of the asset price bubble in the early 1990s. The analysis further reveals that subdued real income growth, relative to the labor productivity and labor supply growth, also exerted downward pressure on trend inflation during the period from the 2000s to the early 2010s, when trend inflation was particularly restrained. These findings suggest that monitoring medium- to long-term inflation expectations and trends in structural factors of the economy is important for assessing its long-run inflation trend.

Suggested Citation

  • Ryuichiro Hirano & Yutaro Takano & Kosuke Takatomi, 2026. "What Drives Trend Inflation in Japan? : A Trend-Cycle BVAR Decomposition Approach," Bank of Japan Working Paper Series 26-E-1, Bank of Japan.
    • Handle: RePEc:boj:bojwps:wp26e01
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    JEL classification:

    • C22 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes
    • E24 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Employment; Unemployment; Wages; Intergenerational Income Distribution; Aggregate Human Capital; Aggregate Labor Productivity
    • E31 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • E58 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Central Banks and Their Policies

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