McDonald's In Japan RAISEs Prices For The Third Time In 10 Months Due To The Fee Jump

Illustration of McDonald's outlets in Kyoto, Japan. (Wikimedia Commons/Pawel Loj)

JAKARTA - McDonald's Japan restaurant operator announced a price increase in its third price in less than a year on Friday, the latest sign of rising inflationary pressure on the country's consumers.

McDonald's Holding Company Japan Ltd., said it would raise prices by about 80 percent from its menu starting January 16, citing currency fluctuations and soaring costs of materials, labor, transportation and energy.

The increase follows an earlier increase in March and September last year, as Japan grappled with inflation and a decline in yen that makes imported materials more expensive.

The price of one cheese burger will rise to 200 yen (1.49 US dollars) this month from 140 yen last year. The price of the typical Big Mac hamburger will rise to 450 yen from the previous 410 yen.

While citing Nikkei Asia, the price increase will range from 10 yen to 150 yen. The move follows a price increase of about 60 from the product on the menu in September.

Another menu that has also experienced an increase in prices, such as classic hamburgers which will be 170 yen from 150 yen originally. Before the increase, the price of classic burgers was only 110 yen.

Prices will also rise 10-50 yen for various "value sets" which include drinks and side dishes other than hamburgers. Others, one pocket containing 15 pieces of Chicken McNuggets will sell for 710 yen, up from 590 yen.

Another menu containing two servings of large fries and 15 pieces of Chicken McNuggets will sell for 950 yen. The price increase can vary depending on area and restaurant.

McDonald's is not the only fast food chain that implements price increases, in response to rising raw material costs.

It is known that Japanese consumers will experience price increases in more than 4,000 food items starting next month, researcher Teikoku Databank said on Thursday, following a larger wave of rise last October.