[1] Types of minimum wages and time for revision
Japan uses two types of minimum wages. One is the regional minimum wage applied to each prefecture, requiring companies in the region to ensure that wages paid to their employees are above the standard. The other type is the industrial minimum wage, which is set for specific industries. Among the two types, regional minimum wages are revised annually around October. Fiscal 2023 minimum wages for all prefectures have recently announced.
[2] Fiscal 2023 regional minimum wages and effective dates
Following are the minimum wages in the Kanto region and effective dates. The weighted nationwide average minimum wage has been raised 43 yen to 1,004 yen from 961 yen last year. This is the largest gain since the present system started in 1978.
Meanwhile, regional minimum wage gaps have long been a contentious issue. The ratio of the lowest minimum wage (893 yen) to the highest figure (1,113 yen) came to 80.2%, improving for nine consecutive years.
Fiscal 2023 regional minimum wages (Unit: yen)
|
Prefecture |
Minimum hourly wage (before) |
Minimum hourly wage (after) |
Increase |
Effective date |
|
Tochigi |
913 |
954 |
41 |
Oct 1, 2023 |
|
Gunma |
895 |
935 |
40 |
Oct 5, 2023 |
|
Saitama |
987 |
1028 |
41 |
Oct 1, 2023 |
|
Chiba |
984 |
1026 |
42 |
Oct 1, 2023 |
|
Tokyo |
1,072 |
1,113 |
41 |
Oct 1, 2023 |
|
Kanagawa |
1,071 |
1,112 |
41 |
Oct 1, 2023 |
Companies must confirm that their part-timers’ hourly wages are above the regional standard. Please also calculate hourly wages of regular employees who are paid monthly salaries and ensure the figures are not below the criteria.
[Reference]
The Labour Ministry, “List of regional minimum wages”
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/koyou_roudou/roudoukijun/minimumichiran/
*The contents are valid as of the date of this article.
