And finally… Japanese cinema ticket prices increased for first time in 26 years

Amazingly, the a price of ¥1,800 was settled on for a ticket in 1993, as multiplexes began to proliferate in Japan, and was seen as a way to make up for declining audiences that were being lost to TV.

The move saw a dramatic climb in audience numbers – reaching 169.2m in 2018, from a low of 119.6m in 1996 – leaving exhibitors with little motivation to raise the ticket price.

However, according to the Asahi Shimbun, the general admission ticket price was finally raised after two and a half decades on 1 June to ¥1,900 (£13.85).

The multiplex chain Toho was the first to announce the increase in March, citing factors including building costs for new cinemas, the expense of installing 4D and Imax technology, and “anti-earthquake measures”.

Another major chain, Tokyu Recreation, said it would follow suit. However, two of the largest chains, Aeon and United, said they would not change their prices.