Japan Press Weekly

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2022 December 21 - 2023 January 10 [LABOR]

Zenroren demands that regional minimum wages be increased again to catch up with rising prices

The National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) on December 21 submitted a written demand to the Labor Ministry for an added increase in regional minimum hourly wages in order for the minimum wage level to catch up with currently rising prices.

Accompanied by Japanese Communist Party Vice Chair Kurabayashi Akiko (Upper House member), Zenroren representatives demanded that Labor Minister Kato Katsunobu consult with the Central Minimum Wages Council.

Receiving the written demand, Vice Minister Hanyuda Takashi responded, "A re-examination has never been done before, but we'll see if it's possible."

Zenroren President Obata Masako said, "Prices are soaring higher than when the central council recommended each prefecture's minimum wage rate in July." Zenroren Secretary General Kurosawa Koichi said, "The council is supposed to conduct a review on its recommended rates as there are major changes taking place in the economy. By re-evaluating the rates, the council should consider increasing the present regional minimum hourly wages."

Past related article:
> Like Germany and France, Japan needs to increase minimum hourly wage to cope with cost-of-living crisis [December 16, 2022]