A validating (but alarming) survey about household budgets in Japan

I came across an article via the Japan Times today that really resonated with what a lot of us are probably feeling over the past few years. A new survey by Sumitomo Life Insurance found that around 80% of households in Japan are feeling the impact of rising prices on their family budgets, and honestly, that number doesn't come as a surprise to me at all. 

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The survey gathered responses from more than 5,000 working adults, and the results showed that food expenses were the hardest hit, followed by electricity bills. On average, households said their monthly living costs had increased by about ¥9,600. Even rice has become expensive enough that over a quarter of respondents said they were avoiding buying it.

What stood out most to me was that only around 14% of people expect their annual income to rise this year. The gap between rising costs and stagnant wages is leaving many people (both locals and expats) feeling the pinch.