Japan faces major price hikes across food and retail sectors

Japan is experiencing a significant wave of price increases in September 2026, with nearly 5,000 food and beverage items seeing price hikes. According to Teikoku Databank, 4,923 items are affected, marking the largest monthly surge in one year and five months. Seasonings such as soy sauce and noodle soup bases are the most heavily impacted category, with 1,959 items increasing in price, followed by processed foods like frozen goods.

Retailers are attempting to mitigate the impact on consumers through various methods, such as offering coupons via mobile apps. Additionally, there are concerns regarding the rising cost of Pacific saury (sanma). Research suggests that the expected catch in Japanese waters for 2026 is estimated at 429,000 tons, which is over 60% lower than in 2025 and represents the lowest level since surveys began in 2003.

In the retail sector, Ryohin Keikaku, the operator of Muji, announced price increases for 489 items starting September 4, including clothing, household goods, and food. The company cited rising raw material costs, logistics expenses, labor costs, and the impact of the weak yen as primary drivers. Price adjustments vary significantly, ranging from a 5-yen increase for small plastic organizers to a 20,000-yen increase for certain beech wood tables.