Japan's budget SIM card sector is moving towards an era of rising prices, marking a significant shift in the market dynamics. Accordingly, the news indicates a departure from the prevailing norm of low-cost SIM cards, largely attributed to an increasing market competition and changes in consumer behavior. The exact timing of the hike and how it would play out across various vendors isn't available at the moment, but a broad market-wide change is anticipated.

Japan has a large and competitive market for budget SIM cards, popular amongst consumers for their cost-efficiency. Therefore, a price increase can have significant impact on consumer choices and affordability. Additionally, regulatory considerations by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications regarding pricing and competition in the telecom sector may also come into play.

In the US and EU, price hikes in mobile services including SIM cards are typically influenced by market factors such as competition, changes in regulatory landscape, or to counterbalance the costs involved in infrastructure upgrades. Often, these hikes are met with consumer dissatisfaction and calls for greater regulatory oversight.