Heads up: utility bills are about to get pricier

A little reminder that upcoming utility bills are set to be more expensive. From October's usage, electricity and gas rates across Japan are rising as government subsidies come to an end.

On average, households will pay about 500 yen more each month for electricity. Tokyo's average bill is moving up to around 8,600 yen, while Kansai homes will see closer to 7,800 yen. Okinawa is one of the highest, passing the 9,000 yen mark. Gas customers will notice smaller increases from roughly 170 to 220 yen depending on the company.

It may not sound like a huge jump, but when combined with higher food and daily living costs, it definitely adds up. With cooler weather around the corner and most of us running heating appliances, bills are likely to climb even more.