Japanese stocks and profits are soaring under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's push to revive the economy. Even shop prices are up, a key step after years of deflation kept pocketbooks shut tight.

None of that matters to Shuzo Matsui.

The 28-year-old, who inspects paint jobs on Toyota Motor Corp. cars, makes about ¥4 million a year and his pay won't go up even as he faces inflation and higher taxes. He's one example of how Japan's workers risk being left behind as Abe's policies benefit companies and investors.