Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Justin McCurry in Tokyo

Japan’s favourite snack falls victim to global inflation with first-ever price hike

Umaibo, which has succumbed to a rise in the price of corn from the US, on sale in Tokyo
Umaibo, which has succumbed to a rise in the price of corn from the US, on sale in Tokyo. Photograph: Akira Tomoshige/Reuters

One of Japan’s best-loved snacks is to go up in price – by a whopping 20% – for the first time since its launch more than four decades ago.

But Umaibo – literally “delicious stick” – will still be a steal for schoolchildren at just ¥12 apiece (US10c, not including sales tax), up from the current ¥10, when the change goes into effect in April.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.