Middle East tensions drive price hikes for bean sprouts and shortages of garbage bags, while plastic wrap donations rise

A discount supermarket has raised the price of bean sprouts for the first time in 34 years due to Middle East tensions. The price increase from 10 yen to 15 yen per pack is attributed to rising costs of plastic packaging caused by oil price hikes and naphtha shortages. Designated garbage bags are also becoming scarce nationwide. In response to shortages, some municipalities are allowing the use of transparent or translucent bags for waste disposal. Additionally, donations for household plastic wrap through the "furusato nozei" system have significantly increased.