A Tokyo supermarket mirrors the plight of Japan’s consumers, workers

A Tokyo supermarket mirrors the plight of Japan’s consumers, workers

A Tokyo supermarket mirrors the plight of Japan’s consumers, workers

Japanese supermarket owner Hiromichi Akiba can’t make the price hikes on his wares that would allow him to give his workers a pay rise.

Elaine Lies Hiromichi Akiba (54), owner of six supermarkets in Tokyo, Japan works at his supermarket named Akidai

Japanese supermarket owner Hiromichi Akiba has built his bustling business through close ties with his neighbourhood — the reason, he says, he can’t make the price hikes on his wares that would allow him to give his workers a pay rise.Steep price increases on surging raw materials costs are squeezing Japan’s workers, as years of deflation or minimal rises give way to 41-year-high inflation of 4%.Lautaro Martinez then added a brilliantly taken third in the 77th minute to underline Inter's superiority on a night in which Milan simply didn't show up.And, while major companies are offering raises amid government pressure, many of the small and midsize firms that employ the vast number of Japanese workers cannot keep up.The two sides met yesterday at the Wanderers as the Super Kings won by six runs in a nail-biting encounter that was settled in the final over.But the situation is especially hard for retail businesses like Akiba’s because the cost rises are so widespread that virtually nothing is untouched, preventing pay rises."We won the Super Cup last season so we knew how great it is to win it.“The fact is that we are barely making a profit,” said the genial 54-year-old, who prides himself on the close ties he’s built with the customers in his western Tokyo neighbourhood over the past three decades.30pm start.

“If we were able to pass our costs on by raising prices, we couldn't look our customers in the eyes..He credited Super Kings openers Faf du Plessis and Reeza Hendricks for laying the foundation.” To a casual observer, Akiba’s business, which he began 31 years ago with a single supermarket and has since expanded into several, is doing well.On a recent weekday afternoon it bustled with customers ranging from young mothers pushing prams to older women using canes." Without the raucous soundtrack of a packed San Siro, Wednesday's match in Saudi Arabia was an unusual Milan derby but that won't stop Inter fans claiming local bragging rights as well as the Super Cup for the seventh time.Workers shouted “Come in, come in!” while others rushed around with cartons of sweet potatoes and cabbages.They bowled well, especially up front, they bowled superbly.But costs have risen for everything, from shipping to packaging to electricity, while the weak yen jacked up prices for imported meats, fruits and vegetables."We weren't up to the task in the first half, we made too many mistakes and from there it was difficult to turn the match around," Milan coach Stefano Pioli told Mediaset.They added two more runs to their partnership before it was dismantled by Nortje.

Even domestic items grew pricier, since feed and fertiliser are often imported.Then there is the general inflationary chill.We just need to get back to playing the way we know how.Returning there today with the Super Kings will give him goosebumps.“We supermarkets are the leading edge of life,” Akiba said.“If the economy is tough everybody cuts back on spending.The 36-year-old beautifully sent Nicolo Barella scampering in behind Milan's defence, allowing the Italy midfielder to roll a low pass which compatriot Dimarco had no problems tucking away.They’re defending their lifestyle by buying cheaply.I grew up watching all of my cricket at SuperSport Park.The partnership threatened to take the game away as it was on 73 by the 16th.

” He would love to raise wages for the 40 workers in his flagship store the way larger places can.Milan huffed and puffed in the second half but the closest they came to getting back into the game was the underwhelming Rafael Leao smashing over the bar three minutes after the break.The operator of clothing giant Uniqlo plans raises of up to 40%, and more than half of big firms in a Reuters survey plan wage hikes.“I think all those places must have much cheaper costs..Meanwhile, the Capitals have been urged by their assistant coach Jacques Kallis to garner mental strength for the highveld derby after last night's tough defeat.That gave them enough leeway that they could pass that on to their workers,” he said.Employee Taro Yamada, a 19-year-old university student, said a rise in his 1,200 yen ($9.Parnell got the other wicket.

28) hourly pay would be welcome, enabling him to eat a more balanced and healthy diet..“But I guess there’s no help for the situation, since I’m a part-timer,” he added.Yoko Yamada, a 52-year-old composer with a shopping basket on her arm, said she now buys things like meat in bulk and freezes it to save money.No raise is in sight for her partner, the main breadwinner..“The government needs to enact policies to keep things in balance,” she said.

“Otherwise, poverty will really increase in Japan.” Reuters.