Rising international oil prices triggered by escalating tensions in the Middle East are sending ripple effects through Japan's education sector. From the price of "randoseru," the traditional Japanese elementary school backpack, to school lunch packaging and field trip expenses, costs are climbing across the board, increasing the burden on parents.
According to Japan's Asahi Shimbun on Tuesday, a department store in Tokyo recently held a pre-order sale of randoseru for children scheduled to enter elementary school in 2027. More than 150 products were displayed, with flagship items priced at around 70,000 yen (approximately 660,000 won).
Products currently on sale were made with raw materials secured before the deterioration of the Middle East situation, so price fluctuations remain limited for now. However, the industry is concerned about potential price hikes for products to be sold in the future. The synthetic leather widely used in randoseru is made from naphtha, a byproduct of petroleum refining, and prices for this raw material have surged recently.
Japanese manufacturers producing synthetic leather materials have already raised prices, citing higher costs. Some parents are reportedly considering purchasing backpacks for their children one or two years before enrollment, fearing further price increases down the road.
School Lunch Packaging on Alert: Bread Bag Prices Jump 50%
School lunch programs are also facing cost pressures. A cooperative that supplies lunch bread to about 500 elementary and middle schools in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, recently announced that bread packaging prices have risen 30 to 50 percent from previous levels.
Since packaging is also a plastic product made from naphtha, it is directly affected by crude oil price fluctuations. Suppliers have hinted at the possibility of additional hikes, suggesting that the burden on school lunch operating costs will grow further.
The industry warns that supply disruptions could affect not only bread packaging but also containers for noodles and desserts, as well as various plastic bags. With rising food ingredient prices compounded by higher packaging costs, observers say managing school lunch budgets will become increasingly difficult.
Field Trips Take Direct Hit as Fuel Surcharges Add to Burden
Rising oil prices are also affecting student field trips. As airlines raise fuel surcharges on international routes, the cost of overseas field trips is increasing more than expected.
Compounded by the weak yen, some schools are asking parents to cover additional expenses to make up for the shortfall.
With Japan's aviation industry also considering introducing fuel surcharges on domestic routes, domestic field trips are unlikely to escape rising costs either. Education officials warn that if international oil price instability persists, the financial burden on students and parents could grow even heavier.
