Millions of Japanese voters face the challenge of rising prices amid incomes that are not keeping up. For Tokyo resident and graphic designer Tomoko Ida, this means cutting back on rice, a staple that once cost 3,000 yen for 5kg but now is priced between 4,000 to 5,000 yen. Ida’s family now eats more pasta and noodles to save costs. Inflation-adjusted wages have fallen for 11 months straight, dropping 2.8 percent in November. While inflation in Japan is about 2 to 3 percent, food prices are climbing faster. Rice prices surged nearly 68 percent last year due to poor harvests. Imported goods like coffee and chocolate increased because of a weak yen. Many voters weigh cost-of-living relief heavily this election. A recent NHK survey found 45 percent prioritized price reduction measures when voting. Political analyst Koichi Nakano noted expanding strains due to rising taxes, social security costs, and an aging population. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who became Japan's first female leader less than four months ago, has promised to suspend the 8 percent tax on food and non-alcoholic beverages for two years if re-elected. Her coalition also backed a massive stimulus package last year worth $136 billion to relieve cost pressures through subsidies and cash handouts. However, concerns linger about Japan’s financial health given a debt-to-GDP ratio at 230 percent. Market reactions were sharp when Takaichi announced plans to cut consumption tax, with government bond sales increasing and yields hitting record highs. Public skepticism remains. More than half in a Nikkei poll doubted the tax cut would ease inflation effectively. Some voters express distrust in Takaichi’s shifting stance and want politicians to focus on long-term solutions rather than immediate cash handouts. Despite doubts, polls predict Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party-led coalition will win comfortably over the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance. With election day close, many voters like Ida feel fatigued and unsure about their choices. She said, “Honestly, I am tired of seeing new political groups with the same faces, just changing their party names.”