Price of Christmas cakes in Japan rises by avg $3.70 vs 2021

TOKYO — This holiday season, Christmas cakes may seem more expensive than in previous years. In fact, a survey comparing cakes sold at confectionaries and grocery stores nationwide puts the average price up by over 10% compared to the same period just two years ago. The survey of 100 companies including department stores selling the holiday treats pinned the latest average cost of a size 5 cake (with a diameter of 15 centimeters) at 4,468 yen (about $31.15), up 325 yen (roughly $2.25), or 7.8%, from last year and 529 yen (approx. $3.70), or 13.4%, from 2021. The main factors behind the price increases are thought to be the more Christmassy mood amid the coronavirus pandemic’s remission and price hikes…