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Japan to see price hikes in food, tobacco products from October

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And Nichirei's pretax PROFIT for the second fiscal quarter of 2021 was... ¥7,300,000,000 but yeah they gotta pass costs on to the consumers don't they

0 ( +0 / -0 )

In the first QUARTER of 2021, Ajinomoto's pretax income was ¥32,959,000,000 they don't mention that in the article now do they (source: wjs)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japan is not alone. Europe and the USA both are experiencing inflation rates of about 3.5% per month. Natural gas prices are expected to double by winter.

Time for people to tighten their belts and add a few more notches for future belt tightening.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Due to sluggish consumer spending ??

What the heck ?

That's totally rude and insulting to say during a pandemic and lockdown where many people are struggling to make it through.

Blame it on the consumer ?

How ridiculous !

0 ( +0 / -0 )

 the wealth gap in Japan is rapidly catching up to the obscene levels you can see in the states ... people lining up for food while those in their gated communities stuff it out of sight. An inconvenient truth —Japan also has a ruling class exploiting the working class.

Well yes the US reinstated the pre-war Imperialists to power after the war, so that makes sense.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Duh. Remember that token one-time ¥100,000 relief measure given to households at the beginning of the pandemic? It didn't come from taxes. It was a token amount of the fiat currency printed as emergency ''quantitative easing'', the bulk of which went to corporations ... which changed that fiat currency to hard assets before the predictable inflation hits. ''Quantitative easing'' is just a way of further empowering the big players at a moment's notice. When all that extra paper money is thrown into the system and it is not re-invested in human resources, it is the working class who eventually pays the price with a rising cost of living, but without a corresponding rise in quality of life. The GINI coefficient has many flaws, but as a few have pointed out in comments, the wealth gap in Japan is rapidly catching up to the obscene levels you can see in the states ... people lining up for food while those in their gated communities stuff it out of sight. An inconvenient truth —Japan also has a ruling class exploiting the working class. Just human, rather than humane, nature.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Japanese companies all raise their prices on the same day but no investigation of collusion or price fixing?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Laughable! In Japan a pack of cigarettes sells for ¥540, to increase soon to ¥600. Compare that to the UK, EU or USA. Too many distorted interests at play here. Despite that, we have seen a welcome improvement of conditions for no-smokers in public places. As for smoking outdoors, Japan far outweigh the rest of the advanced world. Without taking into consideration the fact that many Japanese lawmakers, primarily aged men, identify with the demographic who most likely are smokers in the country, pricing is a good indication of the ruling elite will to rid society of a health plague.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I am so happy I gave up smoking! Last time I bought cigarettes they were 200 yen a pack.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Japan should and should grow food vertically-cheap and plentiful next to cities.

And where are the solar panels on skyscrapers?

Wind turbines on mountains?

Turbines undersea receiving tidal current energy?

It is not not like Japan is not aware of its own energy deficiencies…

2 ( +3 / -1 )

zichiToday  02:27 pm JST

Antiquesaving

I gave up decades ago comparing the prices of fruit and veg here with other countries. Why not compare with Thailand or South Africa?

Why?

Because Japan is a first world country.

Median income in Japan is $33,000

Comparable with most other western countries.

SA is less that $5,000

Thailand $7,000

We compare apples to apples.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

A revamp of Japan's energy sector is not need though doubtful it will happen when Japan's three major banks are the main backers behind fo the coal industry -

https://nocoaljapan.org/the-problem/private-banks/#:~:text=In%20particular%2C%20Japan's%20three%20mega,billion%20over%20last%20two%20years.&text=Yet%20Japanese%20banks%20are%20still,the%20most%20carbon%2Dpolluting%20fuel.

In regards to Japan becoming more self-reliant, the government would be best to follow the example of Singapore's "30 by 30" initiative in which they plan to produce 30% of their own food by 2030. Singapore is much smaller than Japan though they are leading by innovation including growing in high-density urban centers.

https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/nts/singapores-30-by-30-strategy-can-food-self-production-be-achieved/#.YVafpppBw2w

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

funny how we never see prices go down across the board when the raw materials are cheap..

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Usually in Japan prices stay the same but portion sizes are constantly dropping.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

zichiToday  01:10 pm JST

Potatoes are cheap

No! As I noted you can find deals but on average a kilo of potatoes in Japan is ¥360'~ ¥380 that is twice that of most other countries.

Sure I can in season find a kilo of potatoes for around ¥150 but again it takes looking around.

The median price in $ US

Japan $3.65 USA $2.59 Canada $2.22 Australia $2.36 Germany $1.51 UK $1.41

Again these are the prices usually available. Going on about oh I get them here or there at xyz price is irrelevant what most people pay is what is in the local supermarket.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Bad news, good news

1 ( +1 / -0 )

danToday  01:18 pm JST

100 yen for 6 apples ?

Obviously not living in a large city.

Apples are 150 yen or so each !!

In Tokyo in a major supermarket chain Japanese apples will be pretty all nice and expensive NZ apples if available will be around ¥400 for a bag 6 to 8 small apples.

If you live in one of the outlying wards (AKA shitamachi Tokyo) such as taito-ku, Kita-ku, Arakawa-ku, Sumida-ku, katsushika-ku, etc...

There are plenty of local "Yaoya" fruit and vegetable stores selling "rejects" ( don't look "pretty" but taste just as good).

Today the local supermarket had "Negi" (Welsh Onion) 3 for ¥180 my local Yaoya had 3 for ¥ 80 or 6 for ¥100 same size as the supermarket ones just not as pretty all bent in different directions. If you don't mind washing, they had unwashed Negi about 10 or 12 per bunch ¥100.

As everything the supermarkets are always over priced for fruit and vegetables.

Find a local vegetable/fruit stand/store that deals in imperfect fruit and vegetables the prices are very reasonable.

My favourite is komatsuna got 2 massive bunches for ¥100.

Note that in the Tokyo area the vegetable wholesale market is closed on Wednesdays so Wednesday in not a good day to buy as store supply is what they got on Tuesday.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

This is absolutely puking and disturbing news to raise the price of food and electricity. Tokyo is already expensive enough. Good news is the cigarettes are going up to 600 yen. Smokers are gonna not like that increases. This also explains why young japanese people are very skinny because they cant afford food and this is going to make it even worse.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

. I just don't understand how a developed country like my own can sell food at a fraction of what Japan charges its consumers. 

You don't? Have you been to a Japanese super market?

I know a Japanese apple farmer and a Welsh Onion farmer.

Last year the apple farmer had 70% of his crop rejected by the wholesale buyer, not because they were not good or tasty but because they didn't look good enough.

So 30% was bought and will be sold at a higher price because there will be fewer apples the other 70% if he is lucky will be sold at cost to make Apple juice, but if to many other farmers have the same problem then the apple juice makers will not pay or buy everything so perfectly good apples will end up in landfill.

The Welsh Onion farmer has 30% to 50% rejected regularly. Why because they are not pretty nice and straight, they resort to selling on the road side, direct to a few vegetables stores or restaurants.

This repeats itself with just about every crop in Japan.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

100 yen for 6 apples ?

Obviously not living in a large city.

Apples are 150 yen or so each !!

5 ( +5 / -0 )

October??? I saw prices go up last month, especially bread.

Food is already expensive. I just don't understand how a developed country like my own can sell food at a fraction of what Japan charges its consumers. And when it is cheap, the government slaps on a 700% tax (imported rice).

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Buy seasonal and no issues.

It's Fall, potato is supposed to be in season. My supermarket is selling one small potato for 86 yen.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

So, no mention of Kishida’s promised salary increases. Bwahaha!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

"...I spoke with taxmen here about business and asked about it too. I was told it's むずかしい&めんどくさい to set up to tire system..."

You forgot teeth sucking

3 ( +4 / -1 )

@Matej The story does not mention the price of milk or dairy products. However, I would not be surprised to see a rise in milk as canola and soy meal are major sources of feed for dairy cattle.

Japan imports feed and fodder from Canada for dairy cattle but dairy prices are 20% cheaper in downtown Tokyo than in Canadian cities because Canada has ridiculous controls on dairy production and artificially high prices.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

AlexToday  07:26 am JST

and still Japan doesn't work towards being as self-sufficient as possible.

How would you suggest they do that? Japan has very limited natural resources and useable land for crops so they have to try on importing things like gas, oil, wheat..

We'll start by utilizing the land in Hokkaido better, instead of growing the same crops as the other 3 far warmer climate islands, start using crops better suited for the colder climate,

Example apples, Japan insist on growing the same apples in Hokkaido as it does in other parts but the shorter growing season and colder weather means low yield.

If they would switch to a variety used in places like eastern Canada the yeild would be far greater, this is not just apples but applies to many other crops. Such as carrots, pears, corn, etc... But they won't because these colder weather varieties tend not to be uniform and pretty and a grown for high yield and taste, not for good looks.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Buy seasonal and no issues.

I am surprised though that cows care about the weather.

So can we finally say deflation is over?

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

KISHIDA will vacuum all your wallet with its money printing. expect 500yen the tomato soon.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Is it because of Brexit?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

How would you suggest they do that? Japan has very limited natural resources and useable land for crops so they have to try on importing things like gas, oil, wheat..

Japan has plenty of viable land for growing ones own food. Or make planter boxes and grow it. We didn't buy a single tomato or cucumber this year because we started to grow our own. Saved a substantial amount of money so far!

7 ( +8 / -1 )

JimizoToday 09:51 am JST

No mention of an alcohol price hike thank christ.

I love a drink, but alcohol should be pretty high on the list when talking about tax hikes.

Also, tax religious institutions.

That'll never happen in a million years. The Shinto shrine association is one of the pillars of Nippon Kaigi and the conservatives in this country. There's simply no way the LDP govt will tax one of its main supporters. On the contrary, they love "religious" groups with lots of cash sloshing around, hazy accounting and lengthy membership lists of true believers.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Government failure on a global scale.

There's a global supply crunch on triggered by the pandemic, in case you didn't notice, based on market supply and demand misalignments. Not too much the Japanese govt can do about that unless it suddenly turns communist.

As for the complaints about higher salaries, that's up to private sector employers. Why does no one (except me) blame the employers, aka, the people who decide and pay salaries, for, um, low salaries? I dont get it.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Welcome back to stagflation.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

The farm ministry has cited "China's brisk buying" and "a large increase in sea freight costs" behind its decision to increase prices.

Yes as usual blame China for everything, of course the events in other countries have nothing to do with it.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

No mention of an alcohol price hike thank christ.

I love a drink, but alcohol should be pretty high on the list when talking about tax hikes.

Also, tax religious institutions.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

Hey Japan,

How about raising salaries? Nope.

More child care facilities? Slap outta here!

Tax breaks? Not a chance.

But oh wait!!!!

Ooh, food prices going up……..

Well, one bright note, kind of.

Cigarette taxes are going up. But not enough. They should raise it to 5000 yen a pack.

13 ( +14 / -1 )

Items and services essential to living should be free of sales tax.

Hear Hear!!

4 ( +7 / -3 )

If the price of bread increases I suggest eating cakes...... exceedingly good cakes!

7 ( +8 / -1 )

@zichi

Not going to happen. However in Europe tax (VAT) is high but food tax varies by countries. It is around between 5-9%. In Japan is one tax which if it continues to rise then food might be really expensive.

I spoke with taxmen here about business and asked about it too. I was told it's むずかしい&めんどくさい to set up to tire system.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Remove sales tax from food.

If it's non-pre-made food, I agree completely.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Not sure what percent of the vegetable oil used in Japanese margarine is canola oil, but canola prices have increased substantially. The entire vegetable oil complex has spiked. Malaysian palm oil futures are at record highs. Corn and soy futures have moderated since summer peaks but are still well above last year. All food is going up, get used to it. Watch out next year, fertilizer prices are spiking and with the huge increase in natural gas prices, the price of urea will stay high for the foreseeable future.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Now is not the time for abenomics 2, it will increase prices even more. More support for those with children and low income workers is needed..

10 ( +11 / -1 )

No food, medicine, water, and doctor visits should be taxed.

They do tax your water! Look at the bill.

14 ( +16 / -2 )

Not good news, but overall Japan has had exceptionally stable prices over the past 20+ years.

Yep. Combined with falling real wages and fewer free public services. I'm old enough to remember when we didn't have to buy rubbish bags. Japan is the perfect example of Marx's basic analysis in the real world.

9 ( +15 / -6 )

The next double punch, already lying on the ground and quite affected…roast in hell!

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Remove sales tax from food.

exactly.

22 ( +24 / -2 )

Japan needs to develop its own sources of energy instead of relying on importing fossil fuels from the US, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other states, several involved currently in military operations related to fossil fuels.. 

With regard to food, people need to waste less, and more emphasis needs to be given to hydroponic growing and other methods not requiring large areas of land. Governments at all levels need to do more to encourage small and hobby farmers, and allow more places for them to sell their products. Perhaps, large bureaucracies like JAS need to be eliminated.

11 ( +14 / -3 )

I am all up for tobacco price hike. Food price not so much.

28 ( +30 / -2 )

More financial misery for the population of the third largest economy in the world.

16 ( +19 / -3 )

try - rely

3 ( +7 / -4 )

and still Japan doesn't work towards being as self-sufficient as possible.

How would you suggest they do that? Japan has very limited natural resources and useable land for crops so they have to try on importing things like gas, oil, wheat..

3 ( +16 / -13 )

Not good news, but overall Japan has had exceptionally stable prices over the past 20+ years.

7 ( +15 / -8 )

Japan will experience price hikes in some food and tobacco products as well as services from October, partly due to a spike in global raw material prices, dealing a further blow to households hit by the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

As people use depression era food strategies to get by with precarious pandemic era work, hunting for those evening conbini discounts and packets of ramen, we can still rejoice that the LDP prioritized inspiring us with the spirit of the power of sport two months ago.

22 ( +24 / -2 )

....and still Japan doesn't work towards being as self-sufficient as possible. dear oh dear!

8 ( +16 / -8 )

And will prices be lowered a year or so from now when stable supplies of raw materials and production rates resume?

No. Of course not. Don't be daft.

39 ( +41 / -2 )

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