Daily food spending below ¥500 among low-income people in Japan

Low-income households in Japan live on an average food expenditure of less than ¥500 per person a day amid lingering inflation, according to a survey by Save the Children Japan, a nongovernmental organization.

The survey, conducted in June, covered 8,736 parents nationwide who applied for food assistance from the organization. All of them provided valid responses online or by telephone.

Of the respondents, 94.5% were single parents. Over 60% were in the red, with 26.2% saying that they were living with debt and 36.9% indicating that they were living off their savings.

Among two-person households, the average food spending per person fell to ¥490 from ¥533 in a similar survey conducted last year. The average among six-member households slumped to ¥361.

About 85.5% reported that they had been unable to buy the groceries their families needed during the past year.

When asked about the reasons for their applications for food assistance, with multiple answers allowed, 89% cited difficulty buying enough food due to rising food prices.

“Inflation leaves them no choice but to cut food spending to make ends meet amid rising prices,” said a Save the Children Japan official. “The central and local governments should take immediate action to accelerate the implementation of specific policies (for needy households).”