Japan inflation accelerates slightly as food prices soar

Jul 21, 2023 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Consumers in Japan have been watching prices at supermarkets creep up, which has quickened the pace of increase in the overall consumer price index.

The internal affairs ministry says the CPI excluding fresh food in June was 3.3 percent higher than a year earlier. The jump was slightly bigger than the previous month's increase of 3.2 percent.

Prices for many food items went up, causing the food index to soar in June from a year earlier by 9.2 percent. Fresh items are excluded from the index because they vary widely in price based on the weather.

There was a similar increase in May that marked the biggest jump in over 47 years.

The price of eggs jumped by 35.7 percent.

Carbonated drinks were up 17.4 percent and hamburgers 17.1 percent.

But energy prices actually went down by 6.6 percent, due to government subsidies and the increase in fuel prices subsiding. Electricity bills fell by 12.4 percent.

Source: テレ東BIZ

Osaka’s Minami Rebuilt Into Tourist Hub

Osaka’s Minami district, now entering another period of major change with the planned opening of the Naniwasuji Line, the redevelopment of Midosuji and improvements around Nankai Namba Station, has transformed from an area once described as "scary" and "dirty" into one of Japan’s leading tourist destinations.

Crowds Join First Pull of 10-Ton Gion Festival Float

A 10-ton hoko float was pulled through central Kyoto on July 12 in a trial run ahead of the Yamahoko Junko procession during the Gion Festival's early parade.

Young Doctors Flock to Cosmetic Medicine

A growing number of young doctors in Japan are moving directly into cosmetic medicine after obtaining a medical license and completing their initial clinical training, raising concern that the trend may be worsening staff shortages in insurance-covered medical care.

Typhoon No. 9 Travel Disruptions Continue on Some Okinawa Routes

Transport disruption from Typhoon No. 9 (Bavi) continued on July 12, with airlines warning that some flights serving Okinawa’s outlying islands could still face delays, cancellations or conditional operations even after the storm moved away from the prefecture.

JAXA Successfully Lands Reusable Rocket Test Vehicle

JAXA successfully landed a small experimental vehicle for a reusable rocket on July 11, marking a step toward technology that could increase the frequency of space launches while helping reduce costs.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Business NEWS

Small Supermarkets Surge as Shoppers Seek Lower Prices

Small supermarkets offering lower prices than convenience stores and closer access than full-size supermarkets are expanding rapidly across the Tokyo metropolitan area, as retailers race to meet demand from older consumers, single-person households and shoppers under pressure from rising prices.

One of Japan’s Largest Stag Beetles Goes on Sale in Kyoto

A welfare facility in Fukuchiyama, Kyoto Prefecture, has begun preparations to sell about 220 giant stag beetles, one of Japan’s largest species, from July 13.

Docomo Bank to Begin Services in August, Aiming for 1,500 Branches

NTT Docomo will begin offering banking services under the new "Docomo Bank" brand in August, with plans to build a network of more than 1,500 locations by fiscal 2030, far exceeding the branch networks of Japan's major banks.

Nikkei Extends Rally With 813-Point Gain as AI Stocks Lead Market Higher

Japanese stocks rose for a second straight session on Friday, July 10, with the Nikkei Stock Average climbing 813.88 points to close at 68,557.73 after strong gains in U.S. technology and semiconductor stocks fueled renewed buying of AI-related shares.

June Corporate Goods Price Index Up 7.1%

Japan’s domestic Corporate Goods Price Index, which measures prices charged for goods traded between companies, rose 7.1% from a year earlier to 135.4 in June, the Bank of Japan said on July 10.

Zentoshi Becomes 2026’s Biggest Bankruptcy

A credit card payment processor with liabilities of about 125.9 billion yen has become Japan’s largest bankruptcy so far in 2026, disrupting card payments at restaurants and shops across the country and forcing many businesses to accept cash only.

Japan Delays 060 Mobile Numbers as Carriers Need More Time

Japan's planned rollout of mobile phone numbers beginning with 060 has been postponed after telecom carriers said they need more time to complete system preparations.

Nikkei Falls Below 67,000 as Yield Fears Deepen

Tokyo stocks fell for a third straight session on July 8 as selling in semiconductor and AI-related shares continued, while rising Japanese government bond yields, Middle East tensions and concern over the Bank of Japan’s policy independence added pressure to the broader market.

< 2 3 4 5 >