Japan Panel Recommends 4.9% Minimum Wage Hike for Fiscal 2026

A Japanese government panel has recommended an increase in the minimum hourly wage for fiscal 2026. The Central Minimum Wages Council advised the labor minister to raise the average minimum wage by 55 yen, or 4.9%, from next April. This would bring the average minimum wage to 1,176 yen per hour for the year.

The recommended hike is lower than last year's record increase of 63 yen, reflecting a slowdown in inflation. However, prices have continued to rise.