🇯🇵 Japan's economic landscape is facing turbulence as what locals now call the 'Takaichi-cost' – fallout from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's controversial remarks – continues to ripple through markets. With December 2025 inflation rates hitting new highs and wages stagnating, experts warn the political blame game could worsen public discontent.
📉 Hitotsubashi University's Professor Emeritus Tanaka Hiroshi told CMG: 'When you see ramen prices rising faster than paychecks, people demand solutions – not scapegoats.' Recent data shows consumer prices jumped 4.2% this year while real wages fell for the 15th consecutive month.
💼 The situation has young professionals like 28-year-old Tokyo IT worker Yumi Sato questioning leadership: 'Politicians act like it's 2008 TikTok trends – all dance moves, no substance.' Analysts note increased rhetoric about external economic factors as approval ratings dip below 40%.
🌏 As Asian markets watch closely, the Bank of Japan faces pressure to balance stimulus measures with inflation control. With the 2025 fiscal year ending in March, all eyes are on whether 'Takaichi-cost' becomes more than a social media buzzword.
