With food prices hitting record highs, Japanese families face tight budgets for Christmas and New Year meals. The Kanto Smart Living Cooperative advises taking advantage of supermarket discounts, buying essentials in advance, and using stable-priced seasonal vegetables to ease financial pressure while keeping festive celebrations on track.

TOKYO, JAPAN (MERXWIRE) – December marks the end of the year, and Japanese consumers begin shopping for Christmas and New Year’s holidays, but soaring prices are weighing heavily on their finances. The preliminary November Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Tokyo’s 23 wards (excluding fresh produce) rose 2.8% compared to the same period last year, with food prices being the most directly felt source of pressure.

According to the latest survey by the private research institution Teikoku Databank, 20,609 food and beverage items in Japan announced price increases this year (including December), exceeding 20,000 items for the first time in two years, a significant increase of 64.6% compared to approximately 12,500 items last year. Condiments, alcoholic beverages, and processed foods are among the products affected, with the primary reason being rising raw material costs, followed by increased logistics costs.

Although the number of items expected to see price increases by slightly over 1,000 by April next year is far lower than the same period last year, industry insiders believe that the pressure of high prices will continue to influence people’s year-end and New Year’s purchasing behavior.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries recently released its December wholesale price forecast for 15 major vegetables delivered to the Tokyo Central Wholesale Market. Tomatoes, bell peppers, potatoes, and onions are expected to be more than 30% higher than the average price over the past five years. Abnormal weather continues to impact harvests; for example, the high temperatures and low rainfall in summer have resulted in smaller Hokkaido potatoes and onions, while the sudden cold snap in autumn and winter has slowed the growth of some vegetables, further driving up prices.

Another essential commodity, eggs, also continues to reach record highs. ja.z-tamago.Co.,Ltd. stated that the average wholesale price of medium-sized eggs in the Tokyo area reached 340 yen per kilogram in November, the highest record since the statistics began, marking the 13th consecutive month of year-on-year increases. With increased demand for Christmas cakes and oden, prices are expected to remain high until the end of the year.

The restaurant industry is also feeling the impact of rising costs. The manager of a family-run restaurant in Tokyo stated, “Tomatoes, eggs, and potatoes are almost all more expensive than last year. We’ve tried our best to absorb the costs by adjusting portion sizes and purchasing methods, but the profit margin for some dishes has been pushed to the bare minimum.” He admitted that if prices remain high, they will likely have to reassess their menu pricing next year.

A housewife living in Kanagawa Prefecture with a family of three said in an interview, “Preparing ingredients for Christmas and New Year’s this year has really cost more than last year. Tomatoes and potatoes are noticeably more expensive. I originally planned to cook a more elaborate meal, but now I can only adjust the menu and switch to cheaper vegetables.” She admitted that the anticipation of holiday shopping in the past has now turned into pressure to control the budget.

To help people prepare festive meals amidst high prices, the Kanto Smart Living Cooperative suggests taking advantage of time-limited discounts at supermarkets and hypermarkets, purchasing essential ingredients in advance in batches, and adjusting dishes with seasonal, stable-supply, and price-stable vegetables instead of items whose prices have surged due to inclement weather. Furthermore, family gatherings can be organized by having each person bring a dish to share the burden, maintaining the festive atmosphere while effectively reducing the financial burden on the organizers.

With food prices reaching new highs, Japanese families are finding their budgets tight when preparing festive meals and New Year’s dishes. Year-end shopping amidst high prices has become one of the most pressing social issues this year.