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Japan Auto Unions Diverge on 2026 Pay: Toyota Bloc Drops ‘Exceed Last Year’ Pledge as National Body Targets ¥12,000+

Local discretion at Toyota contrasts with a ¥12,000‑plus base‑pay push by the national union.

Overview

  • The All‑Toyota Federation of Labor approved its 2026 policy in Kobe and removed language seeking wage hikes above the prior year.
  • For a sixth straight year it declined to set a concrete base‑pay figure, left specific demands to member unions, and kept the annual bonus guideline at five months or more.
  • One day earlier, the Japan Federation of Automotive Workers’ Unions set a guideline to demand at least ¥12,000 in base‑pay improvements for 2026.
  • Both stances reflect persistent inflation and industry pressure from the U.S. administration’s high‑tariff policy on autos.
  • In 2025, unions used a ¥12,000 benchmark, achieved an average base‑up of ¥9,520, and secured total increases of ¥12,886 including regular raises, the highest comparable level since 1976.