{
  "id": 19749402,
  "title": "Japan noodle chain Marugame Seimen to cut prices on some items",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/japan-noodle-chain-marugame-seimen-to-cut-prices-on-some-items",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-13T03:30:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Mainichi",
    "slug": "the-mainichi",
    "url": "https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20261113/p2g/00m/0bu/018000c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Japanese udon noodle chain Marugame Seimen, also known as Marugame Udon overseas, announced on Thursday plans to reduce prices for five of its dishes starting late November, in a bid to draw in more customers. The company faced concerns over a potential consumption tax cut on food that could deter diners from restaurants excluded from the tax reduction.\n\nAs part of the consumption tax plan scheduled to take effect in April 2023, the tax on most groceries and takeout meals will decrease from 8% to 1% for two years, while the rate on eating out will remain unchanged at 10%. The chain attributed the price cuts to rising costs, including ingredients, energy, and wages, making dining out less affordable for consumers.\n\nMarugame Seimen's president, Hiroshi Yamaguchi, addressed this issue during a press conference in Tokyo. The company will lower the price of a regular bowl of kake udon, a dish consisting of noodles served in broth, from 440 yen to 390 yen, an approximate reduction of $2.4 to $2.28.",
  "summary": "TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese udon noodle chain Marugame Seimen said Thursday it will lower prices for five of its dishes from late November in an attempt",
  "key_points": [
    "Marugame Seimen to lower prices on five dishes starting late November",
    "Price of regular kake udon bowl reduced from 440 yen to 390 yen",
    "Company cites rising costs including ingredients, energy, and wages"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Lowering menu prices helps the chain maintain its competitive edge as upcoming tax changes threaten to make dining out more expensive than purchasing takeout meals.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}