Japan is likely to see a noticeable slowdown in food and beverage price increases in February, signaling potential easing in inflationary pressures, according to new survey results released Friday by private research firm Teikoku Databank.
The study shows that 195 major food and drink manufacturers plan to raise prices on 674 products next month. This represents a sharp decline of nearly 60 percent compared with February last year, when more than 1,600 items saw price hikes, largely driven by processed foods. February would mark the second consecutive month in which the number of increases has fallen year on year.
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks account for the largest share of upcoming price changes, with 298 items affected. These include products such as cooking sake and fresh juices. Processed foods follow closely, with 283 items scheduled for higher prices.
Among individual companies, Kagome plans to raise shipping prices on its popular “Yasai Seikatsu 100” vegetable juice line and 103 other beverages, with increases of up to 19.1 percent. Toyo Suisan Kaisha is also set to revise suggested retail prices for 41 items in its Maruchan cooked rice series, with hikes ranging from 12 percent to 16 percent.
Teikoku Databank noted that the overall pace of food and beverage price increases appears to be stabilizing after months of widespread adjustments. However, the firm cautioned that inflationary risks have not disappeared entirely. In particular, the continued weakness of the yen could place renewed upward pressure on prices from late spring onward.
While the slowdown offers some relief for consumers facing prolonged cost-of-living pressures, analysts say exchange rate movements and input costs will remain key factors shaping pricing trends in the months ahead.