Production workers at major automakers and electronics companies won increases in basic monthly pay Wednesday for the first time in five years, with Toyota Motor Corp. agreeing to the 1,000 yen raise demanded by its union.
The wage hikes differ sharply among companies. In previous negotiations, it was customary for firms in the same sector to act in unison when making counteroffers to unions.
But steelmakers, shipbuilders and heavy machinery makers did not respond to demands for higher pay from their unions, opting instead to continue talks in hopes of reaching an agreement next year.