With the year-end and New Year holidays fast approaching in Japan, there's a notable increase in the prices of holiday food ingredients. Market analysts attribute this to soaring demand coupled with supply chain hiccups, largely due to ongoing pandemic related issues. The heightened prices are having a significant impact on households that celebrate these holidays with traditional meals, causing frustration and financial strain.

The year-end and New Year holidays are a crucial time in Japan, marked by traditional meals known as 'osechi-ryori'. These meals are central to holiday celebrations, making food ingredients an essential purchase. As such, the hike in prices directly affects a majority of Japanese households. Such issues are likely to be met with considerable public concern, possibly leading to calls for government intervention or subsidies.

Similar inflationary pressures are witnessed in the U.S. and the EU during the winter holidays, especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, the response varies. In the U.S. and EU, government assistance programs and charities often step in to support families in need during these periods of increased food costs.