In Japan, rising food and energy prices have led to a mass closure of cafes specializing in ramen (noodles in broth with various additives), which for the Japanese serves as a popular and affordable alternative to fast food. About this writes The Washington Post newspaper.
It is noted that Japan is facing inflation after decades of falling prices and stagnation. Owners of snack bars are faced with a choice – to raise the price of ramen above the “psychologically significant” mark of 1,000 yen (about 605 rubles) or close. At the same time, over the past three years, the price of noodles in ramen shops has already increased by 10%. This is the result of the rise in price of almost all the main ingredients of the dish: pork, chicken, wheat, seaweed, bamboo shoots, green onions, soy sauce and oil.
Another problem for business owners is that ramen broth must simmer for a long time to achieve the right flavor profile. Because of this, cafes are often forced to leave their stoves on 24 hours a day. With electricity prices rising, this energy waste has become a problem for many eateries.
“Prices have been rising rapidly for several years, but in the last three years the rise has been incredible. I think everyone in the industry has had to deal with these issues,” ” said Tokyo ramen shop owner Tetsuya Kaneko.
In 2023, Kaneko had already had to raise the price of ramen to 1,000 yen.
According to research firm Teikoku Databank, 49 ramen shops filed for bankruptcy in the first half of 2024. That pace could set a record for the number of closures in a single year.
Economists point out that the ramen shop closures are a good indicator for the overall state of the Japanese economy. Although the island nation’s salaries are rising, they have not kept pace with inflation, making the population feel like they are getting poorer. This has had an impact on small businesses, which are wary of passing on increased costs to consumers who are unwilling to pay more.
