Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2024 September 11 - 17 [LABOR]

Minimum wage increase fails to keep pace with rising prices

A minimum hourly wage of 1,700 yen is necessary to cover basic daily needs, Akahata reported on September 14 based on the calculation result by prefectural organizations of the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren).

Zenroren and its prefectural organizations, based on their survey of the minimum cost of living, have calculated the amount necessary to cover that cost. Zenroren-affiliates in Nagasaki and Kagoshima prefectures recently released their latest calculations.

According to the Nagasaki Kenroren, young adults living alone need to earn nearly 1,700 yen an hour to cover their basic daily necessities. The amount in the Kagoshima Kenroren’s calculation stood at about 1,800 yen.

On October 1, minimum wages will be increased nationwide from the current 1,044 yen to 1,055 yen on average. In Nagasaki and Kagoshima, their regional minimum wages will go up to 953 yen from 790 yen, far from sufficient to cover the minimum cost of living.

Other Zenroren prefectural federations also published a similar calculation.

Zenroren is increasing its efforts to realize an across-the-board minimum wage hike to 1,500 yen immediately.