Summer in Japan hitting the wallets of many

I don't know about you, but summer in Japan always feels like the season when my money starts disappearing faster than usual. There's the electricity bill from running the air conditioner, the extra icy treats and drinks when you're trying to survive the heat, and then all the paid indoor activities (movies, museums, and the like) to try and escape the weather but not go stir crazy at home.

A recent survey gives some idea of just how much households like my own are feeling the squeeze. Almost half of those surveyed said their summer spending had increased compared with last year, with food and electricity among the biggest areas where costs had gone up.

It's not just a case of spending a little more here and there, either. Among those whose spending had increased, the average increase worked out at around ¥90,000 a month compared with last summer (no small figure!!). One in four households said they expected to be running a deficit over July and August.

What really caught my attention was what people are cutting back on. More than 40% said they'd given up something they wanted to do because of money, with travel coming out on top, followed by hobbies, entertainment, and eating out.

Are you cutting back in any areas this summer?