Japan Food Inflation

Food prices in Japan rose 7.2% year-on-year in June 2025, accelerating from a 6.5% increase in the previous two months and pointing to the steepest pace since March. Upward price pressures were seen across most food categories: cereals (29.0% vs 28.7% in May), fish and seafood (3.9% vs 4.3%), meats (6.0% vs 6.2%), dairy products and eggs (4.2% vs 4.3%), fresh fruits (5.2% vs 4.0%), oils, fats, and seasonings (2.3% vs 1.3%), cakes and candies (9.0% vs 7.4%), prepared foods (6.9% vs 6.4%), beverages (8.7% vs 7.1%), alcoholic drinks (4.3% vs 4.6%), and meals eaten out (4.5% vs 4.4%). At the same time, fresh vegetable prices fell much slower (-1.5% vs -4.7%). As for staple foods, rice prices doubled, surging 100.2% year-on-year, holding near the fastest pace in over 50 years and highlighting the challenges facing government efforts to control food costs.