The average monthly wage at companies in June, including summer bonuses, fell 2.4 percent from a year earlier to 460,922 yen, falling for the second straight month, the government said in a preliminary report Monday.

The report by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry covers both regular and extra wages at companies with five or more employees.

"The fall in wages was probably due to the decline in bonuses paid to public servants," a ministry official said.

The overall results of the latest survey reflect the economic recovery, the official said.

The average total working hours increased 0.2 percent from a year before to 156.8 hours per person for the first rise in two months. The number of employees on regular payrolls grew 0.4 percent to 42.99 million for the third straight monthly gain.

Average monthly overtime at manufacturing companies, a key indicator of Japan's economic health, increased from a year earlier for the 26th straight month, the report said.