Foreign residents in Japan are facing continued financial pressure as food prices remain stubbornly high, with staples like eggs and rice reaching record levels in November 2025. The persistent inflation is affecting household budgets across the country, with no immediate relief in sight. According to NHK, Tokyo's 23 wards recorded a consumer price index increase of 2.8% year-on-year in November, excluding fresh produce. This marks a continuation of the cost-of-living crisis that has gripped Japan throughout 2025, with food items leading the inflationary surge. The scale of price increases is staggering. Private sector research cited by NHK reveals that food and beverage prices have risen across more than 20,000 product categories this year—a 60% increase compared to 2024. This widespread inflation affects everything from basic ingredients to processed foods and drinks, leaving few options for budget-conscious shoppers to avoid the impact. Eggs have become a particular pain point for households. The average wholesale price for eggs in the Tokyo area reached its highest level for November since records began in 1993, hitting 340 yen, according to NHK reporting. Industry experts attribute this to lingering effects from avian influenza outbreaks that occurred earlier in the year. The disease significantly reduced Japan's chicken population, and production levels have not yet recovered to meet demand. For expats accustomed to eggs being an affordable protein source, this represents a significant shift in meal planning and budgeting. The high prices are expected to persist as poultry farmers work to rebuild their flocks—a process that takes considerable time. Rice, another dietary staple crucial to Japanese cuisine and many expat households, has also seen sustained price increases. While specific November figures weren't detailed in the latest reports, rice has been among the products experiencing prolonged price elevation throughout 2025, affecting both restaurant meals and home cooking costs. The broader inflation picture shows that while some categories have seen price stabilization, food remains a consistent driver of rising costs. The 2.8% inflation rate, while lower than peaks seen in some Western countries, represents a significant burden in a country where wages have historically been slow to rise. For foreign residents, especially those paid in yen or on fixed incomes, the cumulative effect of sustained food price increases can substantially erode purchasing power. Experts suggest several factors are contributing to the persistent high prices. Beyond the avian flu impact on poultry, Japan's heavy reliance on food imports means that global commodity price fluctuations and yen exchange rate weakness directly affect domestic prices. Additionally, rising energy and transportation costs have increased the expense of getting food from farms and ports to consumers. For expats living in Japan, practical strategies to manage these costs include shopping at discount supermarkets, buying seasonal produce, considering alternative protein sources when eggs are prohibitively expensive, and taking advantage of late-evening discounts that many supermarkets offer on perishable items. Some foreign residents have also reported success with bulk buying non-perishable items during sales. The Japanese government has implemented some measures to address food security and affordability, though their impact on retail prices has been limited. Consumers should prepare for these elevated prices to continue into 2026, as the factors driving inflation—particularly the recovery of poultry stocks—will take months to fully resolve. As Japan heads into winter, when heating costs add to household expenses, the sustained high food prices represent an ongoing challenge for the expat community and Japanese residents alike.