I bought it because there was an imported cake of the Philippines in the business supermarket yesterday.The price is cheap at 88 yen.The contents are Oreo, aren’t they?
The taste is a little harder and cheesy than Oreo (although it is actually cheap), but it was delicious with a quality that does not seem to be 88 yen.
Or rather, I think that Oreo is too expensive in the first place.
Today, I wrote an article to share the japanese way of thinking about food expenses rather than finding sweets that are cheaper than Oreo.
Is Japanese food really expensive?
I can’t say for sure because some countries have higher food costs than Japan in the first place, but it is certain that the percentage of japanese living expenses is higher than others.I used to live in Europe, but at that time electrical appliances and entertainment were expensive, but I never felt that food and utilities were so high.On the other hand, when I was in Japan, my honest impression was that the cost of food was quite high.I think that it was about 25,000 yen for living alone and saving money.On the other hand, when I was in Europe, I honestly had 10,000 yen and didn’t have any problems with food expenses.
For example, according to a 2018 household survey report issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the average monthly expenditure of single-person households is 162,833 yen, of which the cost of food is 44,067 yen.(Since I was 25,000 yen, I think you can understand how I was saving money) Even in the same survey in 2017, the average cost of food for a single person was 39,649 yen, and since it has been hovering around 40,000 yen every year, it seems normal that the average 40,000 yen fee is a single household.
According to the 2017 report, the cost of living is paid in three categories: under 35 years old, 35 years old to 59 years old, and over 60 years old.
According to the estimate that 40,000 yen for food is necessary to live a healthy and cultural minimum life, food costs are estimated to be around 40,000 yen regardless of region, such as Akita City in Akita Prefecture, Fukushima City in Fukushima Prefecture, Nagoya City in Aichi Prefecture, and Takamatsu City in Kagawa Prefecture.In the Tohoku region, the food required in five prefectures except Aomori Prefecture exceeded 40,000 yen.
Why is the cost of food in Japan so high?
I think that the margin by the mediation of JA and the wholesaler is a big factor as the reason why the cost of food in Japan is high.First of all, about JA (Agricultural Cooperative)
JA is a cooperative organized with the aim of protecting and enhancing the farming and life of farmers and building a better society in the spirit of mutual aid.For this purpose, JA provides guidance on farming and living, joint purchase of production materials and living materials, joint sale of agricultural and livestock products, acceptance of savings, loan of agricultural production funds and living funds, establishment of joint use facilities necessary for agricultural production and living, or mutual aid and activities in case of emergency.
It is an organization that was established with the desire.In short, it is an organization to protect the farmer.It would not be an exaggeration to say that most of Japan is a member of this JA, and Japanese food is dominated by JA.However, there is an article that it is harassed if this JA does not enter almost forcibly if this JA is doing the farmer.And what does entering this JA mean?It is possible to monopolize the price of japanese food almost.
In Addition, in Japan, there is an intermediary called wholesale.This intermediary determines the price of Japanese food, and the quality is maintained.Sure, it’s important not to crash prices and guarantee quality, but is it necessary for everyone?
Poor people should eat cheap vegetables outside the standard, and rich people should eat vegetables through JA and wholesale.
JA and wholesale are for farmers, not organizations for us
As I mentioned earlier, JA and wholesale are organizations for farmers, not organizations to protect the eating habits of our citizens.Moreover, even if the farmer tries to make a large amount of cheap vegetables, JA and the wholesaler disturb it and do not reach our table.
As evidence, non-standard vegetables are currently sold at low prices in Mercari and other mail order sites.This is the desire of free farming and consumers that farmers have wanted to do for many years.
In order to reduce the cost of food in Japan, i think it is necessary to dismantle these organizations first, isn’t it?We believe that delivering food to those who need it at the necessary price is the key to increasing the happiness of this country.
