Money & Work
Japan's minimum wage rises to 1,177 yen an hour on average
Each of Japan's 47 prefectures has its own new rate, and the new rates start between October 1 and December 2, 2026.
Japan has set new minimum wages for 2026, and the rise is the second largest on record. According to Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the new national average is 1,177 yen an hour. That is 56 yen, or 5 percent, more than last year's average of 1,121 yen. The only bigger rise came last year, when the average went up by 66 yen.
A minimum wage is the lowest pay that an employer is allowed to give a worker. In Japan, it is set by law as an amount for each hour of work. It applies to all kinds of workers, including part-time and temporary staff, and works as a safety net. Only basic pay is counted, which means that overtime pay and bonuses are not included. If an employer pays less than the minimum, the worker must be paid the difference.
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Money that a worker is paid for their work, often counted by the hour, the day or the week.
A minimum wage is the lowest pay that an employer is allowed to give a worker.