Japan's Wage Gap Widens as Small Firms Struggle

TOKYO, Feb 13 (News On Japan) - The 2025 spring wage negotiations have officially begun, with major automakers submitting their demands on February 12th. The key question remains: will wage increases continue to rise this year?

According to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, the average wage increase for major private companies in the 2024 negotiations was 5.33%, the highest level since 1991, right after the economic bubble burst.

However, this figure reflects only large corporations with 1,000 or more employees.

A separate survey by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry found that the wage increase rate for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in 2024 was significantly lower at 3.62%.

Looking ahead to 2025, 48.5% of SMEs plan to raise wages, while 26.1% have no plans for salary hikes. With this disparity, closing the wage gap between large and small businesses remains a challenge.

Source: 東海テレビ NEWS ONE

Dementia Becomes Leading Cause of Death in Japan

In a striking finding from one of the world's longest-living nations, dementia has overtaken all other causes of death in Japan.

Cherry blossoms arrive on schedule in Tokyo

Weather officials say cherry blossoms have started blooming in Tokyo. The event occurred on the same date as the seasonal average and five days earlier than last year. (NHK)

Yellow sand from China's deserts observed in Osaka, western Japan

Weather officials in Japan say yellow sand from China's desert regions has reached the Japanese archipelago. (NHK)

Osaka Expo Previews Futuristic Pavilions

With just three weeks remaining until the start of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, several pavilions held preview events on Sunday.

Newly Released Footage Shows Kamikaze Pilots Parachuting Under Fire

A civic group in Usa City, Oita Prefecture, that collects and analyzes materials from the Pacific War has released twelve pieces of footage showing U.S. air raids and kamikaze attacks.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Business NEWS

How Japan’s 7-Eleven Lost Its Edge

Once a pioneering force in Japan’s convenience store sector, 7-Eleven is now facing a clear slowdown. Although the company introduced many groundbreaking services over the years—such as hot oden by the register and in-store ATMs—it has failed to produce a major hit in over a decade.

Two New Skyscrapers Planned in Major Nagoya Station Redevelopment

Meitetsu announced on March 24th its long-term redevelopment plan for the area in front of Nagoya Station, which includes the construction of two new skyscrapers matching the height of the iconic Spiral Towers in nearby Sasashima.

Starbucks Japan Replacing Paper Straws with Biomass Plastic

Starbucks is replacing its paper straws with biomass plastic straws, beginning a nationwide rollout on March 24th.

Rat Found in Miso Soup at Sukiya in Tottori, Company Issues Apology

Beef bowl chain Sukiya has issued an apology on its official website after a rat was found in a bowl of miso soup served at one of its restaurants in Tottori Prefecture in January.

Breathing New Life into Japan's Abandoned Houses

As the number of vacant houses across Japan continues to rise—now estimated at 9 million—a unique group in Kobe is tackling what many consider a lost cause: severely dilapidated homes, or 'haioku.'

BOJ: Household Financial Assets Hit Record

Japan's household financial assets reached a record 2,230 trillion yen ($15 trillion) at the end of December last year, driven by growing use of the tax-free NISA investment accounts and rising stock prices.

Sapporo Station Redevelopment Delayed by Six Years

JR Hokkaido announced on March 19th that the JR Sapporo Station redevelopment, linked to the Hokkaido Shinkansen extension, will be delayed by six years, with full operations now set for fiscal 2034.

Japan’s Land Prices Surge Again as Resort Areas Soar

Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism announced that as of January 1st, official land prices—a key real estate benchmark—rose 2.7% year-on-year, marking the fourth consecutive annual increase.

< 2 3 4 5 >