Japan's child poverty rate stands at 11.5%, soaring to 44.5% for single-parent households. A survey by Good Neighbors Japan reveals how inflation is forcing families to cut meals, with 90% of respondents unable to afford basic staples like rice, meat, and vegetables. Inside the "invisible poverty" crisis hiding in plain sight in one of the world's wealthiest nations.

From Ito-Yokado to Parco and Meitetsu Department Store, commercial facilities across Japan are shutting down at an alarming rate. With e-commerce growth, population decline, and aging buildings converging, redevelopment plans remain uncertain. We explore the impact on local economies and what comes next.

A bowl of yakisoba costs ¥3,000 at Niseko, but profit is only ¥180. With hourly wages over ¥2,000 and Tokyo-level rents, discover the hidden economics behind Japan's world-class ski resort prices.

Japan's private rice imports reached 96,000 tons in 2025—95 times the previous year. Learn how historic domestic rice price surges made foreign rice cost-effective even with high tariffs, reshaping Japan's food security debate.

In 2025, Japanese agricultural corporation bankruptcies hit a record 103 cases. Learn about the structural challenges facing Japan's farming industry: weak yen, soaring material costs, labor shortages, and succession crisis, all while food self-sufficiency remains at just 38%.

Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa discusses the company's response to rising memory prices and Switch 2 pricing in a Kyoto Shimbun interview. While short-term profitability remains unaffected due to medium-to-long-term procurement strategies, he acknowledges the delicate balance between passing tariff costs to consumers and promoting new hardware adoption.

While Japan achieved its 42% cashless payment target, some stores are bucking the trend by returning to cash-only operations. Learn why businesses are abandoning digital payments to avoid annual fees of 20 million yen and pass savings to customers. A unique phenomenon in developed nations.

Sailor Pen Co. announces price increases starting 2026, citing rising material and manufacturing costs. Explore how Japan's prestigious fountain pen industry is adapting to economic pressures while maintaining world-renowned craftsmanship and quality.

The worldwide matcha craze is causing Japanese tea prices to soar. Discover why matcha became a global phenomenon, how it affects Japanese tea farmers and consumers, and what Japanese people really think about this trend.

Japan's beloved Garigari-kun popsicle will increase to 90 yen from March 2026 due to rising logistics and material costs. Explore the price history since 1981 and reactions from Japanese consumers and international perspectives.

Despite Japan's record 5.08% wage increase in 2024—highest in 33 years—real wages remain negative for 4 consecutive months. Soaring food prices, yen depreciation, and logistics costs squeeze households. Rice prices surge 64.5%. Will the wage-price virtuous cycle materialize?