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Japan's Rising Living Costs: Citizens Demand Political Change

2/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Japanese households face higher living costs as wages stagnate.
Tomoko Ida, a Tokyo graphic designer, says her family now eats rice less often as prices have risen about 68% in the past year.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has made cost-of-living issues central to her campaign and proposes suspending the 8% tax on food.
Takaichi's coalition is likely to win, but many citizens, including Ida, feel disillusioned with the available political options.

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Story summary

Japanese households face higher living costs as wages stagnate.
Tomoko Ida, a Tokyo graphic designer, says her family now eats rice less often as prices have risen about 68% in the past year.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has made cost-of-living issues central to her campaign and proposes suspending the 8% tax on food.
Takaichi's coalition is likely to win, but many citizens, including Ida, feel disillusioned with the available political options.