TOKYO -- Japan Tobacco plans to raise prices on its core cigarette lineup to pass rising costs on to customers amid calls from the government to support inflation.
The company on Friday said it has applied for permission to price its Mevius products at 440 yen ($3.70) per box, 10 yen above the current level, starting April 1. Approval could come as soon as February. The change is aimed at funding "continued investment to improve product quality and service," said Mutsuo Iwai, head of JT's tobacco operations.