Japan Food Inflation

Food prices in Japan increased by 6.4% year-on-year in October 2025, easing from a 6.7% gain in the previous month and marking the softest rise since December 2024. Costs moderated for cereals (16.8% vs 18.0% in September), meats (3.7% vs 4.8%), fresh vegetables (0.7% vs 2.4%), dairy products and eggs (7.8% vs 8.5%), beverages (8.7% vs 10.1%), and cakes and candies (9.5% vs 12.2%). Among staples, rice prices increased 40.2% year-on-year, slowing from a 44.2% rise in September and registering the slowest rise since December 2024 amid Tokyo’s continued efforts to curb persistent upward pressure on staple food costs. Meanwhile, inflation quickened for fresh fruits (2.2% vs 2.0%), fish and seafood (4.8% vs 2.9%), oils, fats, and seasonings (4.4% vs 2.6%), meals eaten out (4.3% vs 4.1%), alcoholic drinks (4.6% vs 4.1%), and prepared foods (6.5% vs 6.1%).