Japan Tobacco won government approval of price increases that would raise the cost of so called third-class cigarettes by more than 10 per cent from 1 April, the company said.

Six domestic brands, Wakaba, Echo, Uruma, Violet, Shinsei and Golden Bat are affected by the JPY 30 (EUR 0.25) price increase. The brands currently retail for between JPY 260 and JPY 290 for a 20-pack, according to JT.