A quick survey by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communiciations has revealed that the average price of goods and services, excluding "fresh produce," since the consumption tax hike went into effect April 1 has increased 2.7 percent, which sounds about right since the hike itself was 3 percent. When the consumer price index is announced next month, the ministry projects that it will be 3 percent higher than it was a year ago, so everything is going as planned.
Of course, that's the word from on high. Here in the real world, meaning in the stores where we all shop, the situation isn't that clear-cut.
Some consumers will notice that prices have gone up much more than what they would perceive as 3 percent, while some prices have actually gone down, and many prices have stayed the same.