Naoya Araki, president of H2O Retailing Corp, whose subsidiary operates the Hankyu and Hanshin department stores, saying that many consumers have not complained about higher prices.
More than half of major companies plan to raise prices for clients and consumers by the end of the year or believe price increases may occur, a survey by The Asahi Shimbun found.
Entry restrictions on foreign tourists were further relaxed on Sept. 7, but a sudden surge in such visitors is not expected because some unpopular border rules still apply.