Prices skyrocket in Japan

Corn flavor snack called Umaibo is considered the national dish of Japan. Launched in 1979, this cake has been attached to many generations of the people of the land of the rising sun.

For more than 4 decades, Umaibo cakes have always kept the price of 10 Yen, making it easy for any Japanese to buy, especially children. However, from next month, Umaibo cakes will have a new price, increased by 20%.

“This is the first price increase since this cake hit the shelves. There’s nothing we can do about it. Manufacturers cannot guarantee profits anymore unless they have to raise prices. This will also happen. creating a problem for cheap snacks in the future because I think they will hardly survive,” said Takeshi Nemoto, owner of the Kawahara Shoten snack shop.

Customers shop at a supermarket in Japan. (Photo: Reuters)

“I never imagined that cheap snacks, which children can easily buy, would also be affected. I was a little surprised and a little sad,” said housewife Naomi Hosaka. express.

In the last month, energy prices in Japan recorded an increase of 20.5%, the highest increase since 1981. Electricity prices increased 19.7%, gas prices increased 22.9% and gasoline prices increased 22, 2%.

Mr. Shizuo Mori, owner of a coffee shop in the Toranomon business district in Tokyo, said that rising input costs are significantly affecting business activities.

“The prices of milk, bread and gasoline have all gone up sharply. I’m doing my best to offset the increased costs, but for middle-income customers, this will have a big impact,” he said. Shizuo Mori, owner of a coffee shop, said.

Some other businesses, such as the Matsuya restaurant chain, have chosen to stop selling high-end dishes and switch to offering more popular dishes, using cheaper ingredients to avoid shocking consumers.

“I don’t feel like I’m paying more when I go shopping. However, when I learned that the price of a bowl of beef has increased from 320 Yen to 380 Een, I realized, the price has gone up a lot,” she said. Aya Mori, Japanese people, shared.

A survey conducted by Japan’s Cabinet Office last month found that 92% of respondents expect the cost of living to increase in the coming year.

* Invite readers to watch programs broadcast by Vietnam Television on TV Online and VTVGo!