During the past fiscal year, a record number of Japanese curry restaurants closed due to a sharp increase in rice prices, a key ingredient in the dish. According to a report by the research firm Teikoku Databank, 13 restaurants with debts exceeding 10 million yen declared bankruptcy, marking a second consecutive record. The price of rice has reached its highest level, around 2.50 dollars per yen, which has hit producers and threatened restaurant operations. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s government is attempting to curb the price surge by releasing stocks of staple foods into the market, especially ahead of elections.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning outlets emphasize the impact of rising food prices on small businesses and workers, highlighting the struggles of restaurant owners and producers due to economic pressures. They may critique government policies for not doing enough to protect vulnerable sectors and call for stronger social support and regulation to control food prices.
Center: Center-leaning sources report the facts about the record number of restaurant closures and the price increase of rice, focusing on economic data and government responses. They present the situation as a challenge for the food industry and note government efforts to stabilize prices ahead of elections without strong editorializing.
Right: Right-leaning media might focus on the government’s role in managing the economy, praising efforts to release food stocks to control prices. They may emphasize market dynamics and the importance of free-market solutions, possibly criticizing excessive regulation or attributing the price rise to external factors like global supply issues.
