The central bank policy rate in Japan stood at 0.5 percent in February 2025. In March 2024, the Bank of Japan raised short-term interest rates for the first time in 17 years, ending its negative interest rate policy. From August 2024 onwards, the central bank encouraged the uncollaterized overnight call rate to remain at 0.25 percent. A third rate hike to 0.5 percent was implemented in January 2025. In 2016, the Bank of Japan had introduced a policy of quantitative and qualitative monetary easing (QQE) with yield curve control, one component of which included controlling short-term and long-term interest rates through market operations.

The benchmark interest rate in Japan was last recorded at 0.50 percent. This dataset provides - Japan Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Graph and download economic data for Interest Rates: Immediate Rates (< 24 Hours): Call Money/Interbank Rate: Total for Japan (IRSTCI01JPM156N) from Jul 1985 to Feb 2025 about interbank, overnight, Japan, interest rate, interest, and rate.

In January 2025, global inflation rates and central bank interest rates showed significant variation across major economies. Most economies initiated interest rate cuts from mid-2024 due to declining inflationary pressures. The U.S., UK, and EU central banks followed a consistent pattern of regular rate reductions throughout late 2024. In early 2025, Russia maintained the highest interest rate at 21 percent, while Japan retained the lowest at 0.5 percent. Varied inflation rates across major economies The inflation landscape varies considerably among major economies. China had the lowest inflation rate at 0.5 percent in January 2025. In contrast, Russia maintained a high inflation rate of 9.9 percent. These figures align with broader trends observed in early 2025, where China had the lowest inflation rate among major developed and emerging economies, while Russia's rate remained the highest. Central bank responses and economic indicators Central banks globally implemented aggressive rate hikes throughout 2022-23 to combat inflation. The European Central Bank exemplified this trend, raising rates from 0 percent in January 2022 to 4.5 percent by September 2023. A coordinated shift among major central banks began in mid-2024, with the ECB, Bank of England, and Federal Reserve initiating rate cuts, with forecasts suggesting further cuts through 2025 and 2026.

Japan JP: Lending Interest Rate data was reported at 1.045 % pa in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.143 % pa for 2015. Japan JP: Lending Interest Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 6.151 % pa from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.113 % pa in 1974 and a record low of 1.045 % pa in 2016. Japan JP: Lending Interest Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.World Bank.WDI: Interest Rates. Lending rate is the bank rate that usually meets the short- and medium-term financing needs of the private sector. This rate is normally differentiated according to creditworthiness of borrowers and objectives of financing. The terms and conditions attached to these rates differ by country, however, limiting their comparability.; ; International Monetary Fund, International Financial Statistics and data files.; ;

Japan JP: Real Interest Rate data was reported at 0.769 % pa in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of -0.978 % pa for 2015. Japan JP: Real Interest Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 2.802 % pa from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2016, with 56 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.125 % pa in 1983 and a record low of -12.450 % pa in 1970. Japan JP: Real Interest Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.World Bank.WDI: Interest Rates. Real interest rate is the lending interest rate adjusted for inflation as measured by the GDP deflator. The terms and conditions attached to lending rates differ by country, however, limiting their comparability.; ; International Monetary Fund, International Financial Statistics and data files using World Bank data on the GDP deflator.; ;

In February 2025, the average uncollateralized overnight call rate in Japan stood at 0.48 percent. The end-of-month rate also reached 0.48 percent. On March 21, 2024, the Bank of Japan ended its negative interest rate policy and made a shift to encouraging the uncollateralized overnight call rate to remain between 0.0 and 0.1 percent. In its July 2024 Monetary Policy Meeting, the bank decided to raise the short-term interest rate to 0.25 percent. In January 2025, a third rate hike to 0.5 percent was implemented.

Key information about Japan Policy Rate

• Japan cash rate (Policy Rate: Month End: Japan: Complementary Deposit Facility Interest Rate) was set at -0.10 % pa in Jun 2023, compared with -0.10 % pa in the previous May 2023.
• Japan Policy Rate averaged -0.10 % pa and is updated monthly, available from Nov 2008 to Jun 2023.
• The data reached an all-time high of 0.10 % pa in Jan 2016 and a record low of -0.10 % pa in Jun 2023.

As of April 2013, Bank of Japan has switched to the amount of monetary base as its main operating tool. Under this arrangement, the Complementary Deposit Facility Interest Rate can be used as an indication of monetary policy. It represents the interest paid on excess reserve balances (balances held at the account with the Bank of Japan in excess of required reserves under the reserve deposit requirement system).


Related information about Japan Policy Rate

• In the latest reports, Japan Short Term Interest Rate: Month End: TIBOR: Japanese Yen: 3 Months was reported at 0.07 % pa in Jun 2023.
• Its Long Term Interest Rate (Bonds Yield: Government Bonds: Newly Issued: 10 Years: Month End) was reported at 0.43 % pa in May 2023.
• Japan Exchange Rate against USD averaged 137.05 (USD/JPY) in May 2023.
• Its Real Effective Exchange Rate was 59.46 in May 2023.

In 2023, Japan had an average inflation rate estimated at 3.21 percent, marking the highest rate of inflation in Japan in almost a decade. However, this figure was still very low compared to most other major economies, such as Japan's fellow G7 members, four of which had inflation rates around six or seven percent in 2023 due to the global inflation crisis. Why is Japan's inflation rate lower? There are a number of contributing factors to Japan's relatively low inflation rate, even during economic crises. Japan eased its Covid restrictions more slowly than most other major economies, this prevented post-pandemic consumer spending that may have driven inflation through supply chain issues caused by higher demand. As the majority of Japan's food and energy comes from overseas, and has done so for decades, the government has mechanisms in place to prevent energy and wheat prices from rising too quickly. Because of this, Japan was able to shield its private sector from many of the negative knock on effects from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which had a significant impact on both sectors globally. Persistent deflation and national debt An additional factor that has eased the impact of inflation on Japan's economy is the fact that it experienced deflation before the pandemic. Deflation has been a persistent problem in Japan since the asset price bubble burst in 1992, and has been symptomatic of Japan's staggering national debt thereafter. For almost 30 years, a combination of quantitative easing, low interest rates (below 0.5 percent since 1995, and at -0.1% since 2016), and a lack of spending due to low wages and an aging population have combined to give Japan the highest national debt in the world in absolute terms, and second-highest debt in relation to its GDP, after Venezuela. Despite this soaring debt, Japan remains the fourth-largest economy in the world, behind the U.S., China, and Germany.

Japan Interest Rate Swap: Yen: 5 Year data was reported at 0.075 % pa in Nov 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.120 % pa for Oct 2018. Japan Interest Rate Swap: Yen: 5 Year data is updated monthly, averaging 0.500 % pa from Nov 2000 (Median) to Nov 2018, with 217 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.643 % pa in Jun 2007 and a record low of -0.159 % pa in Jun 2016. Japan Interest Rate Swap: Yen: 5 Year data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.M015: Interbank and Swap Rates.

Inflation Rate in Japan decreased to 3.70 percent in February from 4 percent in January of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Japan Inflation Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Japan 10Y Bond Yield was 1.59 percent on Thursday March 27, according to over-the-counter interbank yield quotes for this government bond maturity. Japan 10 Year Government Bond Yield - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on March of 2025.

Japan JP: Risk Premium on Lending: Lending Rate Minus Treasury Bill Rate data was reported at 1.273 % pa in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.155 % pa for 2015. Japan JP: Risk Premium on Lending: Lending Rate Minus Treasury Bill Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 1.922 % pa from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 55 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.900 % pa in 1978 and a record low of 1.155 % pa in 2015. Japan JP: Risk Premium on Lending: Lending Rate Minus Treasury Bill Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.World Bank.WDI: Interest Rates. Risk premium on lending is the interest rate charged by banks on loans to private sector customers minus the 'risk free' treasury bill interest rate at which short-term government securities are issued or traded in the market. In some countries this spread may be negative, indicating that the market considers its best corporate clients to be lower risk than the government. The terms and conditions attached to lending rates differ by country, however, limiting their comparability.; ; International Monetary Fund, International Financial Statistics database.; ;

Japan Interest Rate Swap: Yen: 1 Year data was reported at 0.010 % pa in Nov 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.028 % pa for Oct 2018. Japan Interest Rate Swap: Yen: 1 Year data is updated monthly, averaging 0.173 % pa from Nov 2000 (Median) to Nov 2018, with 217 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.103 % pa in May 2008 and a record low of -0.094 % pa in Feb 2016. Japan Interest Rate Swap: Yen: 1 Year data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.M015: Interbank and Swap Rates.

In January 2020, prior to the onset of the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, three of the seven largest economies by GDP had negative yields for two-year government bonds (Japan, Germany and France). With the onset of the pandemic, two-year bond yields in these countries actually rose slightly - in contrast to the other major economies, where yields fell over this period. As of December 2024, yields for two-year government bonds exhibited fluctuations across all countries. Notably, Japan showed a slight upward trend, while China experienced a modest decline.Negative yields assume that investors lack confidence in economic growth, meaning many investments (such as stocks) may lose value. Therefore, it is preferable to take a small loss on government debt that carries almost no risk to the investor, than risk a larger loss on other investments. As both the yen and euro are considered very safe assets, Japanese, German and French bonds were already being held by many investors prior to the pandemic as a hedge against economic downturn. Therefore, with the announcement of fiscal responses to the pandemic by many governments around March 2020, the value of these assets rose as confidence increased (slightly) that the worst case may be avoided. At the same time, yields on bonds with a higher return fell, as investors sought out investments with a higher return that were still considered safe.

Japan Interest Rate Swap: Yen: 7 Year data was reported at 0.135 % pa in Nov 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.191 % pa for Oct 2018. Japan Interest Rate Swap: Yen: 7 Year data is updated monthly, averaging 0.785 % pa from Nov 2000 (Median) to Nov 2018, with 217 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.884 % pa in Apr 2006 and a record low of -0.120 % pa in Jun 2016. Japan Interest Rate Swap: Yen: 7 Year data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.M015: Interbank and Swap Rates.

Government bond spreads as of October 30, 2024, varied widely among the largest economies when compared to German Bunds and U.S. Treasury notes. Australia's bond spread was the higest against both, with 217.6 basis points (bps) over Germany and 27.1 bps over the U.S. In contrast, China and Japan display negative spreads, with Japan having the lowest spread at -328.1 bps against U.S. Treasuries. Italy, the United Kingdom, and Canada showed moderate spreads. Positive bond spreads indicate that a country’s government bonds have higher yields compared to the benchmark bonds - in this case, the German Bunds and U.S. Treasury notes. Higher spreads often signal perceived higher risk or economic uncertainty, as investors demand greater returns for holding these bonds. expectations. Conversely, negative spreads mean that these bonds offer lower yields than the benchmark. Negative spreads often indicate strong investor confidence, safe-haven status, or lower inflation expectations, as investors are willing to accept lower returns for the perceived stability of these bonds.

Japan Interest Rate Swap: Yen: 2 Year data was reported at 0.023 % pa in Nov 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.046 % pa for Oct 2018. Japan Interest Rate Swap: Yen: 2 Year data is updated monthly, averaging 0.216 % pa from Nov 2000 (Median) to Nov 2018, with 217 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.261 % pa in May 2008 and a record low of -0.175 % pa in Feb 2016. Japan Interest Rate Swap: Yen: 2 Year data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.M015: Interbank and Swap Rates.

Japan Interest Rate Swap: Yen: 3 Year data was reported at 0.035 % pa in Nov 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.068 % pa for Oct 2018. Japan Interest Rate Swap: Yen: 3 Year data is updated monthly, averaging 0.305 % pa from Nov 2000 (Median) to Nov 2018, with 217 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.380 % pa in May 2008 and a record low of -0.195 % pa in Feb 2016. Japan Interest Rate Swap: Yen: 3 Year data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.M015: Interbank and Swap Rates.

Japan Interest Rate Swap: Yen: 4 Year data was reported at 0.053 % pa in Nov 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.091 % pa for Oct 2018. Japan Interest Rate Swap: Yen: 4 Year data is updated monthly, averaging 0.395 % pa from Nov 2000 (Median) to Nov 2018, with 217 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.515 % pa in Jun 2007 and a record low of -0.175 % pa in Feb 2016. Japan Interest Rate Swap: Yen: 4 Year data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.M015: Interbank and Swap Rates.