Nissui and Kikkoman to Raise Prices on Frozen Foods and Soy Sauce

Japanese food manufacturers Nissui and Kikkoman will increase prices for a range of frozen and processed foods starting with deliveries in September 2026 ^[4].

These price adjustments reflect the ongoing struggle of major food producers to absorb the rising costs of production and distribution. As staple items like soy sauce and frozen meals become more expensive, the moves signal continued inflationary pressure on Japanese households.

Nissui will raise the price of its home-use frozen and processed foods by up to approximately 17% ^[1]. A spokesperson for Nissui said it is "extremely difficult" to continue providing products while maintaining both quality and current price levels. The company attributed the increase to the rising costs of raw materials, logistics, and packaging materials, specifically noting that tensions in the Middle East have driven up packaging expenses.

Kikkoman is implementing price hikes for 291 items ^[3], including soy sauce and tsuyu, with increases reaching up to 22% ^[2]. One specific example provided by the company is the "Kikkoman Anytime Freshly Squeezed Raw Soy Sauce," which will increase from 336 yen to 356 yen, including tax.

While both companies cited raw materials and logistics as primary drivers, they differed on the role of geopolitical instability. A spokesperson for Kikkoman said the current price increases do not include the influence of the situation in the Middle East ^[2].

These changes will be implemented across retail and distribution channels throughout Japan ^[1]. The companies are responding to a broader trend of cost increases in the supply chain that have made previous pricing models unsustainable.