As 2026 began, sighing "Prices have gone up again" every time I shopped at a supermarket in Tokyo had become a daily occurrence. This inflation is directly impacting our wallets, but if we take a step back and look at the world, we can see a different kind of "inequality" than what we see in Japan.
This time, let's unravel the "mechanisms" of inflation in Japan and around the world, including from a psychological perspective.
Comparison of Inflation Rates in Major Countries in 2026
First, let's summarize the current global inflation situation. Based on forecasts and actual figures as of 2026, let's compare the situations in major countries.
| Country/Region | Estimated inflation rate (annual rate) | Main factors |
| Japan | Approximately 3.5% | Rising import costs and continued yen depreciation |
| America | Approximately 2.8% | Rising wages, robust personal consumption |
| Eurozone | Approximately 2.5% | Stabilizing energy prices, tightening monetary policy |
The true nature of Japan's "cost-push" inflation
While inflation in countries like the US is due to a "strong economy and rising prices," current inflation in Japan is "unavoidable due to rising raw material costs."Cost-push typeA key characteristic is that this aspect is very strong. From the perspective of us consumers, wages are not keeping pace with price increases, so we tend to resort to "defensive saving" out of anxiety about the future.
Experiencing life in Tokyo: The weight of 15,000 yen
I currently live in Tokyo. In urban areas, even a few percent increase in grocery and electricity costs can have a serious impact on household finances.
For example, if you have a monthly allowance of money that you can spend freely 15,000 yen Just changing that can significantly impact things like the number of books you can buy, the maintenance of the server needed to run your blog, and even your daily nutritional balance.
This "decrease in real wages due to inflation" is not just a matter of numbers, but rather ourA mechanism that erodes the "desire to become independent" and "psychological resilience."They have it.
What is the "survival strategy" we should adopt?
To survive this era of inflation, we need to be mindful of the following two points.
- Thoroughly review your fixed expenses.Smartphone bills, electricity bills, and business expenses such as blog management – properly managing these as "necessary expenses" and eliminating waste is the first step.
- Putting the power to earn back into the hands of individuals.By disseminating information and generating revenue independently, without relying on a company or organization, and by utilizing mechanisms like AdSense, having even a small "own business" is the best defense against inflation.
In closing: Notice of change in operator
Thank you for reading to the end.
I have an announcement for my readers. This blog, "Narumeka (Naruki's Drawing Mechanism)," will be changed once again by me,Naruki Honda[Company name] will officially manage this.
While cherishing my past experiences, I will now share my own perspective on economics, psychology, and the "mechanisms of living" in a deeper and more accurate way.
We hope you will continue to support "Narumeka" under its new management.
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