Latest news with #Seven-ElevenJapan
The Star
10 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Rice prices double in Japan as inflation accelerates
A customer purchases a bag of government stockpiled rice on sale in a section of convenience store chain Seven-Eleven Japan in Tokyo on June 17, 2025. The price of rice went up 101 per cent on-year in May. - AFP TOKYO: Rice prices doubled last month in Japan as core inflation accelerated, official data showed Friday (June 20), posing a threat to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba ahead of July elections. The vote for parliament's upper house, due next month, is crucial for Ishiba after public support for his government tumbled to its lowest level since he took office in October, partly due to frustration over the cost of living. In May, Japan's core inflation rate, which excludes volatile fresh food prices, hit 3.7 per cent - its highest level since January 2023 - interior ministry data showed. The figure narrowly beat market expectations and was up from a 3.5 per cent year-on-year rise logged in April. Rice was more than twice as expensive as a year previously - despite the government releasing its emergency stockpile of the staple grain to try to bring its price down. A supply chain snarl-up has caused a shortage of rice in shops, with the grain's price up 101 per cent on-year in May, compared to the eye-watering 98 per cent rise in April. The government began releasing stockpiles in February in an attempt to drive down prices, something it has only previously done during disasters. Electricity bills were 11.3 per cent higher in May, and gas fees rose 5.4 per cent, according to Friday's data. Excluding energy and fresh food, Japan's consumer price index (CPI) rose 3.3 per cent, compared to April's 3.0 per cent. To help households combat inflation, Ishiba has pledged cash handouts of 20,000 yen (US$139) for every citizen, and twice as much for children, ahead of the election. The 68-year-old leader's coalition was deprived of a majority in the powerful lower house in October as voters vented their anger at rising prices and political scandals. It was the worst election result in 15 years for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has governed Japan almost continuously since 1955. Earlier this week the Bank of Japan kept its interest rates unchanged and said it would taper its purchase of government bonds at a slower pace, as trade uncertainty threatens to weigh on the world's number four economy. "Policy flip-flops and delayed pass-through from producers to consumers mean inflation will slow only gradually in the coming months," said Stefan Angrick of Moody's Analytics. "This will keep a sustained pickup in real wages out of reach, and with it a meaningful uptick in consumption." Factors behind the rice shortages include an intensely hot and dry summer two years ago that damaged harvests nationwide. Since then some traders have been hoarding rice in a bid to boost their profits down the line, experts say. The issue was made worse by panic-buying last year prompted by a government warning about a potential "megaquake" that did not strike. Going forward, US tariffs are expected to weigh on Japan's growth, with economists predicting a slowdown ahead. Intensifying fighting between Iran and Israel was also adding pressure for energy prices to head north, posing a further risk to the Japanese economy. - AFP
Yomiuri Shimbun
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Seven-Eleven Tests Robot Delivery Service on Public Roads; Company Preparing for Future Delivery Staff Shortage
The Yomiuri Shimbun An autonomous robot used to make unmanned deliveries is seen in Hachioji, Tokyo, on Thursday. Seven-Eleven Japan has begun testing an unmanned delivery service using autonomous robots on public roads, with two stores in Hachioji, Tokyo, taking part. The major convenience store operator is considering rolling out the service in other regions to anticipate a potential future shortage of delivery personnel. The test, which is being conducted at the Minami Osawa Ekimae and Hachioji Minamiosawa stores, is expected to be held through the end of February next year. About 3,000 products are available for delivery to households within a three-kilometer radius of the stores. Orders can be placed from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and a delivery fee of ¥330, including tax, is charged. Staff at the stores pack the customer's order into the robot, and the customer uses a QR code to authenticate their order and receive the items. The robot, which was developed by Tokyo-based startup Lomby Inc., travels autonomously on public roads and other routes at a maximum speed of six kilometers per hour while being remotely monitored. In the background of the test, some stores have been unable to offer nighttime delivery services due to a shortage of delivery staff. 'We will verify both the demand and the practical operations to evaluate the possibility of implementing this service across our national store network,' a Seven-Eleven official said.
NHK
04-05-2025
- Business
- NHK
Japanese convenience stores working to meet needs of foreign visitors to Japan
Japanese convenience store operators are working to capitalize on the rising number of foreign visitors to the country to boost their sales. Seven-Eleven Japan has been developing products targeting foreign visitors, such as rice balls using wasabi, or Japanese horseradish, and sweets made with matcha, or green tea. The operator is also printing product names in Roman letters on the packages. Some outlets offer products loved by foreigners in large packages, as they tend to buy their favorites in bulk to take home with. Yoshimura Hiroshi, a Seven-Eleven Japan official, says the company is creating a shopping environment catering to foreign visitors, as they are the driver of sales growth. FamilyMart has created a webpage where popular products are introduced in English, Chinese and other languages. Lawson has had store employees wear a badge that shows which languages they speak to help customers who do not speak Japanese find them and seek help. The convenience store industry regards foreign travelers to Japan as a new opportunity for growth, while the Japanese population has been shrinking.
