Conflict strips Japan's store shelves of color

Conflict strips Japan's store shelves of color

The conflict in the Middle East is pushing up the price of naphtha -- a material derived from petroleum that's used in a wide range of goods. Japanese firms are adapting, but shoppers may soon be wondering what happened to all the "color."

Confectionery producer Fujiya will roll out new packages for these cookies next month. The redesign eliminates blue and green colors -- nor a picture of the treats inside. The firm also plans to modify the packages for nine other products starting from July.

A new range of products from Itoham Foods features only three colors. The company may also simplify older items. Itoham Yonekyu executive Nakajima Yuko said: "Prices are rising. The new packaging might seem a bit odd, but perhaps it will have novelty value."

The operator of discount goods chain Don Quijote says monochrome packages and thinner plastic bottles can cut production costs by nearly 10 percent.

Major convenience store chains are also taking action. FamilyMart will start offering bags with less plastic later this month.