TOKYO — For the first time, Japanese households spent more money on bread than rice in 2011, according to a new survey from the Japanese Internal Affairs Ministry.

The average household spent 27,790 yen ($348) on rice in 2011, down 4% from 2010.

Meanwhile, spending on bread increased by 0.2% to 28,310 yen ($355) per household, according to the survey’s findings.

The findings of the study reflect a growing shift in Japan’s eating habits, which increasingly have become westernized.