Japan's national average minimum hourly wage has been raised to 1002 yen

On the afternoon of the 28th, the Central Minimum Wage Review Committee of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan summarized the approximate standards and raised the national average minimum hourly wage for 2023 to 1002 yen (approximately 51.6 yuan). Against the backdrop of high prices, the minimum hourly wage has increased by 41 yen from the current 961 yen, which is the largest increase since the current method was adopted in 2002.

Kyodo News Agency reported that the minimum wage is the minimum wage applicable to all workers. Based on the approximate standard amount, local deliberation meetings in various prefectures and counties will discuss and finalize the actual amount, which will be applicable from around October.

The approximate standard amount is divided into four levels of A to D based on the economic situation until the previous year, and the amount is given for each level. Starting from 2023, with the aim of narrowing the regional gap, it will be readjusted to the A-C third tier. This time, A, B, and C are required to increase by 41 yen, 40 yen, and 39 yen respectively.

At the previous subcommittee, the labor force advocated for a significant increase and demanded that the hourly wages of the 10 counties with the lowest minimum wage increase from 853 yen to 47 yen, reaching 900 yen. The management understands the necessity of a salary increase, but calls for "a foothold in the severe operating conditions that small and medium-sized enterprises are facing