Pressure on PM mounts as rice prices soar in Japan

TOKYO — Rice prices in Japan soared 99.2 percent in June year-on-year, official data showed on Friday, piling further pressure on Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba ahead of elections this weekend.

Public support for Ishiba's administration has plummeted to its lowest level since he took office last year, partly due to frustration over the rising cost of living.

One of the main sources of anger has been inflation, particularly the surging cost of rice, as well as scandals within the ruling party.