In contrast to inflation, deflation is that rare economic condition when prices of goods and services fall due a lack of demand. The last time large scale deflation occurred was when the U.S. economy practically came to a halt during the Great Depression in the 1930s. There can be a domino effect from falling prices – factories shut down because of declining profits, more and more people are laid off, household incomes shrink, and companies and individuals default on their loans. In a more recent example, falling housing prices have put pressure on many homeowners--forcing them into distressed sales which creates even further downward pressure on property prices and other asset values.
Japan’s experience over the past 20 years provides solid support for those who believe that there is a causal link between demographics and...
The Japanese...
