Japan braces for 20,000 food price hikes again amid Mideast turmoil
Teikoku Databank said Japan’s food and beverage price hikes are set to reach about 20,000 items for a second year, driven by higher materials, logistics and packaging costs linked to Middle East turmoil and yen weakness. Its survey of 195 manufacturers found 14,902 products raised or scheduled Jan–Nov, with further increases planned for July–Sep. Examples: Calbee, NH Foods, Kirin; also Bridgestone and Kobayashi Pharmaceutical.

