Minimum wage in Japan

Last updated

最低賃金法 (Minimum Wage Act)
Territorial extent Japan, minimum wage varies by prefecture
PassedFebruary 19, 1959
Effective On August 12, 1959, the first minimum wage based on the Minimum Wage Act was implemented in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Legislative history
IntroducedApril 15, 1959
Status: Amended

Japan's minimum wage depends on the region and industry. Industrial minimum wages apply for certain industries and are usually set higher than the regional minimum. [1] If regional and industrial minimum wages differ, the higher of the two applies. [2]

In Japan, the minimum wage is revised on a fiscal year basis, running from April to March. Even during periods of deflation, the minimum wage has steadily increased. Based on the national weighted average, it was ¥668 in 2005, ¥730 in 2010, ¥798 in 2015, ¥902 in 2020, and ¥1,055 in 2024. [3] In 2025, it is scheduled to rise to ¥1,118, marking the largest increase in the country's history. [4]

As of early October 2024, the lowest minimum wage in Japan exists in the Akita prefecture at ¥951 an hour (6.68 U.S. dollars), while the highest minimum wage is in Tokyo at ¥1,163 an hour (8.17 U.S. dollars). [5]

The cost of commuting, extra pay (such as working on holidays, at night, overtime, etc.) and temporary pays (bonus, tips, etc.) must be paid exclusively and cannot be used to calculate towards the minimum wage. Regional minimum hourly wages are set by the Minister of Labour [6] or the Chief of the Prefectural Labour Standards Office. Recommendations are made by the Minimum Wage Council. [7]

Japan's minimum wage rate over time, Weighted national average [8] [9] [10]

References

  1. ↑ "地域別・特定(産業別)最低賃金の全国一覧" [Nationwide list of regional and specific (industrial) minimum wages]. 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2017-10-23. Retrieved 2010-11-15.
  2. ↑ 2008 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, United States Department of State.
  3. ↑ 地域別最低賃金の全国一覧 (PDF) (in Japanese). Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 April 2025. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
  4. ↑ 過去最大の最低賃金引き上げ　石破首相「政権の取り組み着実に浸透」 (in Japanese). Mainichi Shimbun. 4 August 2025. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
  5. ↑ "Japan". WageIndicator Foundation. Archived from the original on 2024-07-06. Retrieved 2025-04-21.
  6. ↑ "地域別最低賃金の全国一覧" [National List of regional minimum wage] (in Japanese). Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Archived from the original on 2019-06-11. Retrieved 2015-12-26.
  7. ↑ "Realization of Meaningful, Secure Employment for Workers". Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan. Archived from the original on 2019-06-11. Retrieved 2006-12-19.
  8. ↑ "Minimum Wage System" (PDF). MHLW.
  9. ↑ "ひと目でわかる！最低賃金". saichin.net (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-09-09.
  10. ↑ "Consumer price index (2010 = 100) - Japan | Data". data.worldbank.org. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.