83% Feel Life "Becoming Distressed" Due to Price Hikes, 16% "Don't Feel That Way"

[KSI Online Survey] Awareness Survey on Price Hikes (6th Round)

Kioicho Strategy Institute Co., Ltd. (KSI, Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President & CEO: Naoya Bessho), which provides comprehensive consulting in the public affairs domain, including support for policy activities and risk management for companies challenging new industries, conducts online surveys approximately twice a month, focusing on current affairs topics.

Survey Overview

While discussions on zero consumption tax rates for food products and refundable tax credits are progressing at the National Council on Social Security established by the government, rising crude oil prices and the depreciation of the yen are observed following attacks on Iran by the US and Israel. To understand perceptions of current price hikes and desired measures, an online survey was conducted on March 16th targeting 1,000 people aged 18 and over nationwide.

Survey Results Summary When asked how their perception of so-called price hikes has changed compared to a year ago, 89.9% responded "feel higher" (90.3% in the previous survey on November 26, 2023), 7.6% said "unchanged" (6.7%), and 1.9% said "feel lower" (1.7%).

Looking at those who answered "feel higher" by age group, people in their 20s were in the 70% range, increasing with age, and reaching the mid-90% range for those aged 70 and above. By occupation, teachers and school staff were the lowest, in the 70% range.

83% Feel Life "Becoming Distressed" Due to Price Hikes

When asked if they feel their lives are becoming distressed due to rising prices, a total of 83.0% responded "strongly feel" or "somewhat feel," while a total of 16.0% responded "not at all" or "not much."

Looking at those who chose "strongly feel" by region, Hokkaido was the highest in the 50% range, while Shikoku was the lowest in the early 20% range. By occupation, students were the highest in the 70% range, while teachers/school staff and full-time homemakers (housewives/househusbands) were both the lowest in the 10% range. By political party support, Reiwa Shinsengumi and others were the highest in the 60% range, while the Liberal Democratic Party (excluding those who also support the center), the Constitutional Democratic Party (excluding those who also support the center), and Komeito (excluding those who also support the center) were all the lowest in the 20% range.

When asked about specific situations where they feel price increases (multiple answers allowed), "food purchases" was the top at 94.4% (93.8% in the previous survey on November 26, 2023), followed by "daily necessities purchases" at 69.6% (67.9%), and "payment of utility bills such as electricity and gas" at 52.9% (50.4%).

When asked about measures they are taking to counter price hikes (multiple answers allowed), the top three were "utilizing points and coupons" at 72.9% (76.1% in the previous survey on November 26, 2023), "buying at discount stores and other bargain shops" at 50.5% (43.9%), and "food expenses..." (text truncated)