Japan's minimum wage has been raised to its highest level ever, exceeding that of Korea once again.
According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) on the 4th, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's Central Minimum Wage Council has decided to raise the nationwide average minimum wage from 1,055 yen (approximately 9,909 won) to 1,118 yen (10,501 yen), an increase of 63 yen (approximately 592 won). This increase in minimum wage and the rate of increase (6.0%) are the highest since the adjustment method was introduced in 2002.
Japan's minimum wage varies by region. The councils of each prefecture (都道府縣, regional local governments) set the rates according to the standards suggested by the Central Council. Currently, the region with the highest minimum wage is Tokyo, set at 1,163 yen (approximately 10,923 won), while the lowest is Akita Prefecture at 951 yen (approximately 8,932 won). If all local governments raise their minimum wage above the amount suggested by the Central Council, even the region with the lowest minimum wage will exceed 1,000 yen.
The amount suggested by the Central Council this time surpasses the next year's minimum wage in Korea, which is 10,320 won per hour. The rate of increase is also more than double that of Korea. Although Korea's minimum wage has been higher than Japan's since the confirmed figures set in 2022 due to the depreciation of the yen, Japan has reversed that trend again.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on the same day, "If local governments increase beyond the national standard, we would like to ensure focused support," adding, "We will mobilize all policies to support wage increases." The Japanese government is pursuing a plan to raise the nationwide average minimum wage to 1,500 yen in the 2020s.