Japan’s Real Wages Rise for Third Straight Month in March

May 08, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Japan’s real wages in March rose for the third consecutive month, supported by continued growth in base salaries and a slowdown in inflation, according to data released by the Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry.

Real wages, which reflect price fluctuations, increased 1.0% in March from the same month a year earlier, extending the positive trend for a third straight month.

Total cash earnings per worker, including base pay and overtime, climbed 2.7% year-on-year to 317,254 yen in March, marking the 51st consecutive month of growth.

Regular pay, or scheduled monthly earnings excluding overtime and bonuses, rose 3.2% from a year earlier. The increase marked the third consecutive month of growth above 3%, the strongest sustained pace in 33 years.

A ministry official said the gains were driven by rising base salaries following last year’s annual spring labor negotiations, as well as slower inflation compared with the previous year.

The data is likely to be closely watched by policymakers and the Bank of Japan as signs emerge that wage growth may be starting to keep pace with consumer prices after years of stagnant household purchasing power.

Source: TBS

Typhoon No. 7 Mekkhala Could Fuel Heavy Rain Across Japan Next Week

As of 9 p.m. on June 20, Typhoon No. 7 (Mekkhala) was gradually developing over waters far south of Japan and is expected to strengthen into a strong typhoon early next week before possibly moving toward the Sakishima Islands, while moist air around the storm could later feed a rainy season front stalled near Honshu and raise the risk of heavy rain across western and eastern Japan.

Japan Finds Unexpected Support in Monterrey

Japan will face Tunisia in its second match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 21 in Monterrey, a northern Mexican city known for its mountains, modern skyline and unexpectedly strong connections with Japan.

Risk Of Major Mosquito Outbreak This Summer

Mosquitoes are appearing earlier than usual this year, raising fears of a major summer outbreak as experts warn that warm May weather and repeated light rain have created ideal breeding conditions across residential areas.

Bears Growing More Aggressive in June and July

Bear attacks and sightings are increasing across Japan, with multiple people injured on June 17 and experts warning that bears are becoming more accustomed to human environments, potentially leading to more dangerous and unpredictable encounters in the years ahead.

Supreme Class Debuts on Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen

JR Central and JR West on June 17 announced pricing and service details for the new private-room seating that will be introduced on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen from October, creating a new top-tier class above the existing Green Car service.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Business NEWS

Hearing Aids for Dogs? Latest Pet Products in 2 Trillion Yen Market

A major pet-related product fair opened in Osaka on June 20, bringing together more than 400 companies and showcasing new technologies and products ranging from a bone-conduction hearing device for dogs to furniture designed for cats and their owners to relax together.

BOJ Governor Ueda Discharged From Hospital, To Return To Work June 23

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda has been discharged from hospital after receiving treatment for an infected liver cyst and is expected to return to work on June 23 while continuing outpatient care for about two weeks.

Japan Inflation Stays Below 2% For Fourth Straight Month

Japan's nationwide consumer price index rose 1.4% in May from a year earlier, staying below 2% for the fourth straight month as lower rice, gasoline, utility and school tuition costs helped curb the overall increase.

Nikkei Average Hits Record High For Fourth Straight Day As Yen Weakens

The Nikkei Stock Average surged past 71000 on Thursday, closing at a record high for the fourth straight session, as easing tensions in the Middle East lifted investor sentiment while the yen weakened to a nearly two-year low against the dollar.

Nissan Launches New Kicks SUV With Improved E-Power System

Nissan Motor announced that it will launch the fully redesigned Kicks compact SUV on June 18, marking the model's first full overhaul in six years as the automaker seeks to strengthen its position in Japan's highly competitive small SUV market.

50-Year Home Loans Gain Traction

Japan's return to a world of higher interest rates is reshaping household finances, with a growing number of young homebuyers turning to 40- and 50-year mortgages to afford rapidly rising apartment prices, according to a discussion aired on BS-TBS's Report 1930 on June 17.

Six Ice Cream Makers Investigated Over Price-Fixing

Japan's Fair Trade Commission has conducted on-site inspections of six major food manufacturers over suspicions they formed a cartel to coordinate ice cream prices, with authorities investigating whether the companies exchanged information and unfairly adjusted planned retail price increases in response to rising costs.

Nikkei Average Stock Price Reaches 70,000 Level for First Time

The Nikkei Stock Average briefly topped the 70,000 mark for the first time on June 16, rising as much as 700 points to an intraday high of 70,020 after the Bank of Japan's decision to raise interest rates matched market expectations, before retreating as investors locked in profits, though the benchmark still ended the day at a record high.

< 2 3 4 5 >