Overview

• The national average minimum wage will rise by ¥50 to ¥1,054 per hour.
• This increase follows a significant 5.1% pay hike achieved by workers earlier this year.
• Higher wages are expected to boost consumer spending but may strain small businesses.
• Prime Minister Kishida targets a minimum wage of ¥1,500 by the mid-2030s.
• The new wage rates will be implemented by each prefecture starting in October.