Nevertheless, the rate of increase in the CPI has slowed somewhat of late due, for example, to somewhat weak developments in demand following the consumption tax hike and a substantial decline in crude oil prices, and there has been a risk that conversion of the deflationary mindset might be delayed.
In 1974, in an attempt to overcome the unintended consequences of price controls, drivers in many places were permitted to buy gasoline only on odd or even days of the month, depending on the last digit of their license plate number.