The Fukuoka City Board of Education has agreed on a plan to raise the price of school lunches at public elementary and junior high schools next fiscal year. Set to be the first price hike in three years, the monthly cost of lunch at elementary schools will increase ¥300 to ¥4,200/month, while that at junior high schools will be raised ¥400 to ¥5,000. Although school lunch fees cover the entire cost of lunch ingredients, the consumption tax was increased and the prices of domestic meat and dairy products have risen since the last fee hike in 2012. A BOE official stated, “We kindly ask for your understanding of this price increase, which is necessary to provide our children with delicious, nutritious school lunches.” Source: Nishinippon Shimbun 11/26
