Japan’s Cherry Blossom Party-Goers Face Record Food Prices

Cherry trees are bursting into bloom across Japan, but the cost of foods often eaten at flower-viewing picnics — known as hanami — is higher than ever.

The price of typical food items is up 25% in the past six years and about 4% since last year, according to a report by Dai-ichi Life Research Institute. Meanwhile, broader inflation is prompting Japanese to cut back their spending on such events.