TOKYO, Feb 20 (News On Japan) –
Following final yr’s “Egg Shock,” there may be now concern over the current worth will increase of tomato merchandise resembling ketchup and complete tomatoes, with the time period “Tomato Shock” being utilized by some within the restaurant business to explain the brand new actuality.

At a standard Western-style restaurant in Tokyo, a well-liked dish made with loads of ketchup is being ready. The dish is omurice (omelet rice), with the ketchup’s candy and bitter style being a key taste.

Customer: “The acidity of the ketchup is just right, and it’s delicious.”

“It’s like the old Western-style restaurants, where simple is best.”

Other dishes, resembling Napolitan (spaghetti with ketchup) and hamburg steak with demi-glace sauce, additionally use ketchup. The restaurant makes use of about 10 kilograms of ketchup per day. However…

Kasahara Masahiro, Manager of Restaurant Shiratsuyu: “The purchasing price has been gradually increasing, and it’s becoming quite difficult. If ketchup prices keep rising we’re headed for a ‘Tomato Shock.'”

In a grocery store in Tokyo, the impression on retail costs is already evident.

Gomi Mamoru, President of Super Izumi: “Products related to tomatoes are expensive. Most of them have gone up. This has never happened before.”

This grocery store has raised the retail worth of tomato ketchup by about 30 yen in comparison with final yr, and the value of canned tomatoes by about 40 yen.

Several producers have additionally introduced worth will increase. Kagome has raised the value of family tomato ketchup by as much as 16.4% and tomato juice by as much as 13.6% from the February supply. Kikkoman Foods will elevate the value of Del Monte model tomato ketchup and different merchandise by about 7-15% from the April supply, and sauces containing tomato as an ingredient can even see a worth improve of about 5%.

The worth improve of tomato merchandise, that are indispensable to our diets, is critical. According to Teikoku Databank, about 160 objects of “processed tomato products” have seen worth will increase this month alone.

Why are worth will increase taking place at the moment?

Fujii Shun, Director of Information Coordination Department, Teikoku Databank: “Most of the tomatoes used for processing, over 90%, are imported. The quality of the imported tomatoes was poor, and there was a low yield.”

We heard from folks on the road. We met a pair who each love ketchup.

Husband: “I love ketchup so much that I can eat it on its own. I usually pour it thick on my omurice.”

They burn up two bottles a month, however…

Husband: “It’s putting pressure on the household budget. It’s frustrating…”

At the grocery store…

Customer: “I buy the advertised products when they’re on sale.”

“I heard that the prices are going up, so I thought I’d buy a little extra than usual.”

How far will the value improve of tomato merchandise unfold?

Source: NNN

TOKYO, Feb 20 (News On Japan) –
The Nikkei common stock worth is nearing its all-time excessive from 34 years in the past. We examine the “bubble period” with at present and discover the impression on each day life.

Despite stock costs reaching ranges similar to the bubble interval, it would not essentially point out total financial prosperity.

Hibiki Maoniko, Anchor: The Nikkei common stock worth approached its all-time excessive on the sixteenth, however why is there an absence of tangible impression?

The all-time excessive of 38,915 yen was recorded in 1989, in the course of the bubble period. This quantity was approached on February sixteenth.

Factors contributing to the present stock worth ranges embrace the robust efficiency of Japanese firms coping with data expertise, corresponding to semiconductors and generative AI, attracting overseas traders as a result of weak yen, and a shift in the direction of Japanese shares because the Chinese economic system slows down.

Furthermore, an rising variety of firms are reporting record-high web income for 3 consecutive years, primarily amongst listed giant firms.

We spoke to N-Star commentator Harold George May, who mentioned, “There is a recovery in demand since the end of the pandemic, but it’s not a widespread economic boom like during the bubble period.” May, who has served as a director for numerous firms, shares his perspective.

Harold George May: I began my profession proper in the midst of the bubble. But we should do not forget that the time period “bubble” did not even exist again then.

The Japanese economic system was unstoppable, and there was a way that it’d change into the world’s main economic system. The mindset was all about working 24/7 with out even desirous about financial savings.

The assumption was that earnings would hold coming in, so spending all of it was nice. This complacency was widespread in society.

Inoue Takahiro, Anchor: Those from that technology might have been a bit extra prudent, however the bubble interval was marked by robust home demand, with finance and actual property booming and wages rising.

However, at present’s stock market rise is pushed by overseas traders, with out a corresponding improve in wages. Moreover, Japan’s GDP has been unfavorable for 2 consecutive quarters, so there isn’t any actual sense of enchancment.

The solely tangible signal is likely to be the efficiency graph of NISA investments. There’s actually nothing else that feels actual.

Harold George May: Back then, we weren’t desirous about financial savings or working arduous for the longer term. It was all about dwelling day after day.

Inoue Anchor: But that mindset did not trigger any issues.

Harold George May: We solely thought issues would get higher.

Looking again, it is simple to see the overheating and information, however on the time, we have been utterly unaware.

■The problem lies in wage will increase for small and medium-sized enterprises, which account for 70% of home employment.

Hibiki Anchor: Even although the Nikkei common stock worth is nearing its all-time excessive, there isn’t any sense of safety in our lives.

We requested individuals in regards to the impression on their lives, and listed here are some responses:

60-year-old self-employed: “It feels like only the stock market is rising on its own. There’s no change in everyday life, just continuous price increases.”

40-year-old firm worker: “There are only price hikes, and my own life hasn’t improved as wages haven’t risen. I don’t feel any better.”

Regarding the potential for future wage will increase, Saizuke Sakai, Chief Economist at Mizuho Research & Technologies, says, “There’s a trend of wage increases centered around large corporations with good performance in semiconductors and information technology (generative AI),” however it’s not nearly giant firms.

Harold George May: That’s the important thing level. For society to enhance, wages want to extend.

Indeed, in response to the Labor Administration Research Institute, the typical wage improve for prime-listed firms is 3.7% in 2023. So, firms with good efficiency are seeing will increase, however the level is that, in response to the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, about 70% of Japan’s employment is in small and medium-sized enterprises. These SMEs discover it troublesome to boost the costs of their services or products.

As a end result, they really feel a dilemma in elevating wages, which we should not overlook.

Inoue Anchor: According to a survey performed by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in January, about 60% of SMEs plan to boost wages in 2024. So, there’s a rise from 2023.

Therefore, a optimistic cycle is beginning. It’s essential for SMEs to not have to chop corners and to have the ability to move on the prices of uncooked materials will increase of their product costs, resulting in wholesome inflation. This is a crucial second.

Source: TBS

TOKYO, Feb 20 (News On Japan) –
Foreign vacationers visiting Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture, often called “Little Edo,” have surged to about 6.2 occasions the variety of the earlier yr.

The city is bustling with worldwide guests, drawn by the attract of unexplored Japanese meals. Kawagoe, with its Edo-period ambiance and warehouse-style streets, is a proud showcase of this cultural heritage.

Visitor from the USA: “It’s very beautiful, and I think it’s a good place for Americans.”

Visitor from Thailand: “It’s a very good feeling. It’s exciting and a very clean country.”

The variety of overseas vacationers in Kawagoe had been on the rise earlier than the pandemic. However, after the easing of border measures, the variety of worldwide guests has dramatically elevated.

Last yr, the variety of overseas vacationers rose by about 6.2 occasions from the earlier yr, considerably surpassing the earlier document set earlier than the pandemic. So, why do they select Kawagoe?

Masashi Tokuda, Kawagoe City Tourism Division: “After landing at Narita or Haneda airports, Kawagoe is often chosen as a stopover on group tours to destinations like Karuizawa and Mount Fuji.”

Just an hour by prepare from Tokyo’s Shinjuku district, Kawagoe is now a well-liked stopover for vacationers.

The sound of the bell echoing via the city is from the Time Bell Tower, an emblem of reconstruction.

Visitor from Taiwan: “I felt a lot of history.”

The Time Bell Tower, an emblem of Little Edo Kawagoe because the early Edo interval, has change into a well-liked spot for foreigners to take photographs.

Inside a restaurant in Little Edo Kawagoe, 100% of the seats are stuffed with overseas guests.

Yuuji Kobayashi, Manager of Unagi Denbei: “Sometimes when I look around the restaurant, 100% of the customers are from overseas.”

Among the overseas vacationers having fun with Japanese delicacies, a repeat customer from the USA was seen holding a candy potato delicacy.

Visitor from the USA: “The ones in the USA are thicker. The ones in Japan are very thin, so I prefer these.”

Sweet potato snacks are available many variations, resembling brulee and honey butter, and these candy potato treats appear to be in style.

Masashi Tokuda, Kawagoe City Tourism Division: “We recognize that the way people travel has changed, and as COVID-19 becomes more distant this year and next, we need to observe how their behavior changes.”

Source: ANN

TOKYO, Feb 20 (News On Japan) –
Starting April, some main fast-food chains, together with McDonald’s Japan, will start charging for baggage at choose areas.
McDonald’s Japan has introduced that beginning April, 23 shops in Nagasaki Prefecture will introduce a payment of 5 yen per bag for purchasers who use procuring luggage.

This initiative is a part of the corporate’s efforts in direction of decarbonization, and they’re contemplating increasing this to all shops nationwide.

Additionally, 23 shops in Saitama Prefecture will change from plastic to paper containers for his or her dessert product, the McFlurry.

McDonald’s Japan has set a aim to scale back greenhouse fuel emissions from its shops by about half by 2030 (in comparison with 2018) and goals to speed up its efforts with these new initiatives.

Source: ANN

TOKYO, Feb 20 (News On Japan) –
Recent analysis reveals that sleeping on a pillow that’s too excessive can enhance the chance of stroke. Experts warn that pillows greater than 12 centimeters needs to be used with warning, as the chance will increase with top.

The National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center has launched a brand new illness idea known as “Lord’s Pillow Syndrome,” named after the excessive pillows used in the course of the Edo interval, which have been often known as “Lord’s Pillows.” These pillows have been notably excessive to protect hairstyles, in distinction to the decrease stone pillows of the Kofun interval.

Dr. Tomoki Tanaka, from the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, explains that utilizing a excessive pillow can enhance the chance of a sort of stroke brought on by dissection of the vertebral artery. This threat is because of the neck being bent or flexed, which might injury and tear the blood vessels when turning over in mattress.

The analysis group investigated 53 sufferers and located that 18 of them used pillows greater than 12 centimeters, and 9 used pillows greater than 15 centimeters. Dr. Tanaka asserts that the chance statistically will increase with the peak of the pillow.

In the Edo interval, there was a saying, “Life is three sun (9 cm) long, comfort is four sun (12 cm) long,” indicating {that a} 9 cm pillow is for longevity and a 12 cm pillow is for consolation.

In fashionable occasions, it is also essential to be cautious of the posture earlier than sleeping, as stacking pillows to observe films or learn comics can change into a behavior that results in utilizing excessive pillows.

Dr. Tanaka suggests selecting a pillow that permits you to sleep ready just like standing straight, as the best pillow top.

Source: ANN