日本涨价商品数达去年5倍！日本人竟靠“故乡税”省钱？

Group 1 - The core point of the article highlights a significant increase in food prices in Japan, with 2,105 types of household food products expected to rise in price by an average of 15% as of July 2025, marking a fivefold increase compared to the same month last year [1][5] - The number of price-increasing food items has exceeded 1,000 for seven consecutive months since January 2023, setting a record since data collection began in 2022 [1][5] - The total number of food items with confirmed price increases has reached 18,697 by October 2023, a year-on-year increase of 49.3%, with projections suggesting over 20,000 items for the entire year of 2025 [5] Group 2 - Among food categories, the highest number of price increases is seen in "seasonings," with 1,445 types, followed by "alcoholic beverages and drinks" at 206 types, and "snacks" at 196 types [3] - The price increase rates for various categories include 16% for processed foods, 12% for seasonings, and 20% for alcoholic beverages and drinks [4] - The rising prices of essential household goods have significantly increased the economic burden on Japanese families, prompting many to seek ways to reduce living expenses [7] Group 3 - The "hometown tax" system in Japan, established in 2008, allows individuals to donate to local governments, receiving tax deductions and local specialty gifts in return, which has gained popularity as a means to offset rising living costs [9][11] - In 2023, the total donations through the "hometown tax" exceeded 1 trillion yen for the first time, setting a historical record [11] - The system allows for flexible tax deductions, where donations minus 2,000 yen can be used to offset personal income tax and resident tax [14]