A recent survey in Japan shows that 2,798 food items are set to increase in price in April, marking the first time since October 2025 that more than 2,000 products have risen in a single month, according to Teikoku Databank.
The price hikes—described by the research firm as the "first wave of price increases in 2026"—span instant noodles, beverages, and cooking oil. Among categories, seasonings including mayonnaise and salad dressing account for the largest number with 1,514 items, followed by 609 processed foods such as instant noodles and canned goods, and 369 alcoholic beverages including whiskey and shochu.
Teikoku Databank attributed the surge to rising costs of raw materials, packaging, and labor. Higher energy prices for electricity and gas, along with increased packaging material costs, have also contributed to the upward pressure.
Beyond food, household electricity and gas bills are expected to rise across much of Japan from April, along with daily necessities such as facial tissues and toilet paper.
With crude oil supply disrupted by the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict, costs for materials like plastic film and energy are expected to continue climbing. A Teikoku Databank official forecast that the upward trend could intensify in the second half of 2026.
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