Economics
Spiraling Inflation Might Come for Japan. Here's What It Means for Your Sushi and Beer.
- 2% inflation seen for first time since 2008 without tax boost
- Coming price wave to feel much stronger than 2% for households
A plate of tuna sushi.
Photographer: Tomohiro Ohsumi/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
From the cost of chilled sushi served with a dab of soy sauce to the expense of sizzling gyoza dumplings accompanied by a glass of frothing beer, prices are bubbling up in Japan at a pace that’s going to feel a lot faster than 2% for most consumers over the coming months.
That’s a factor that could have far-reaching implications for businesses and policy makers as Japan looks to be edging closer to a tipping point that turns one-off price hikes into an upward spiral.