Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced plans to reduce the consumption tax on food and beverages from 8% to 1% for two years starting April 2027. The government will proceed despite a cross-party panel failing to reach consensus on funding and permanence. Cash subsidies for eligible households, costing about 600 billion yen annually, will begin as early as autumn 2027. The 1% rate was chosen over 0% to ease the burden on retailers reprogramming cash registers.
Japan's prolonged heatwave is driving consumers to avoid stove-top cooking, boosting demand for no-heat meals. Nissin Foods launched a limited-edition cold cup noodle on 20 July at 307 yen, requiring only chilled water and a five-minute wait. FamilyMart has sold a freeze-dried cold soup since late June at 160 yen per 22-gram cup, restoring broth and miso flavor with cold water.