Fewer women in Japan plan to give Valentine's chocolate as inflation bites

Fewer women in Japan are planning to give chocolates on Valentine's Day than a year earlier, as rising costs for everyday goods pressure their budgets, according to a recent survey by a market research firm.In the survey targeting 2,500 women and girls aged from 15 to 79, 42.8 percent said they have no plans to give chocolates, up 4.0 percentage points from a year prior.In Japan, women traditionally give a box of chocolates to men, including their romantic partner, father and coworkers, on Valentine's Day. Some also exchange chocolates with their friends.Conducted from Jan. 14 to 19 by Inta…READ FULL ARTICLE