News highlights

1. Continuing price rise
   The consumer price index in February rose 2% compared to the same month last year.
2. Government Efforts and Results
   The government continues policies to curb increases in electricity and gasoline prices, but after a year, their effectiveness is beginning to fade.
3. Food and Energy Price Trends
   Due to the weak yen, food prices tend to become particularly expensive, and energy prices also fluctuate greatly.
4. Tourism recovery
   Tourism demand is returning due to the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and an increase in foreign tourists due to the weak yen, and accommodation prices and other costs are rising significantly.

Examples of questions to ask your childand sample answers

Continuing price rise

Question: Do you know what it means for prices to rise?

Example answer: Rising prices mean that things in stores become more expensive. With the same amount of money, you can now buy less than before.

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Government Efforts and Results

Question:Why do you think the government is taking measures to make electricity and gas cheaper?

Example answer: It's to prevent prices from rising and making everyone's lives too difficult, so that everyone can live comfortably. However, the effects may not be immediate due to various reasons, not only in Japan but also in other countries.

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Food and Energy Price Trends

Question: Do you think our electricity and gas bills have gone up compared to before?

Example answer*Please tell your child how much electricity costs per month. I'm sure they will guess a much smaller amount than the actual amount.

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Tourism recovery

Question:Hotel prices and other accommodation fees have increased dramatically recently. Why do you think that is?

ReplyAn example: The coronavirus epidemic is subsiding, and the number of foreign tourists is increasing, so there are many people who are willing to stay even if the price is raised. This is called "demand and supply." Let's look up the word "demand and supply."

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