Japan food prices increasing by an average of 17% ...

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Prices in Japan have risen across the board in recent months, with food prices increasing by an average of 17% to 18%, and even Narita Airport bus fares exceeding 3,000 yen, significantly increasing the financial burden on citizens.

According to statistics from Teikoku Databank, the following data shows price increases in Japanese supermarkets and daily necessities:
From January to April 2025, more than 6,000 food and beverage items saw price increases, with an average increase of 18%.
In 2024, a total of 12,520 food items saw price increases, with an average increase of approximately 17%.
In March 2025 alone, 2,343 food items saw price increases, three times the number in the same period last year.
The price increases are mainly concentrated in processed foods, alcoholic beverages, dairy products, and frozen foods. For example, Ajinomoto's frozen dumplings and shumai saw shipping costs increase by 3% to 10%, while Meiji's butter products saw the largest increase, approximately 8%.
Rice prices have more than doubled: In March 2025, the price of 5 kg of rice was 4,197 yen, more than double the 2,041 yen in the same period last year.

Impact on Citizens' Lives:
Household spending has increased significantly, especially on basic food items such as rice, eggs, and dairy products.
Consumer purchasing power has declined; for example, rice sales have decreased by 7.6% compared to the same period last year.
Businesses are also facing pressure, as rising costs of raw materials, labor, and logistics have forced them to pass these costs on to consumers.
Some products, such as Pocky sticks, have seen reduced quantities without price increases, leading to "hidden inflation."
Limousine Bus Fare Changes from Narita Airport to Central Tokyo: For the past 20 years, the limousine bus fare from Narita Airport to central Tokyo has remained around 3,000 yen.

At the beginning of 2025, the fare has increased to between 2,800 and 3,600 yen, depending on the destination.
The reasons for the price increases include: rising fuel costs, increased labor costs, adjustments to highway tolls, and the widespread impact of inflationary pressures on the transportation industry. This wave of price hikes not only affects daily life but also alters Japan's long-standing perception of stable prices.
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