According to the Japan Broadcasting Association TV report, the results of a survey released on September 1 by Japan's Imperial Database Corporation show that more than 20,000 kinds of food prices in Japan are expected to increase throughout this year due to the soaring prices of raw materials and the depreciation of the yen.

　　The survey shows that in the past month, Japan has 2493 kinds of food price increases; September will have 2424 kinds of food price increases; October will have 6532 kinds of food price increases, becoming the most concentrated month of the year food price increases. This year is expected to have 20056 kinds of food price increases, an average increase of 14%.

　　From the point of view of the type of food price increases, processed food and frozen food, the largest number of 8,530 kinds; 4,651 kinds of spices, ranking second; alcohol and beverages for 3,814 kinds, ranking third.

　　Of the 105 major food and beverage manufacturers in Japan that participated in the survey, 82 reportedly said their goods have increased in price this year, or have planned to do so during the year, due to soaring raw material prices and the depreciation of the yen.

　　Imperial Database said that the wave of food price increases will peak in October, but there may be intermittent price increases in the future due to high electricity and cooking oil prices.

　　It is reported that the yen exchange rate fell to 139.59 yen for one dollar on September 1, a new low since September 1998.