Japan's firms see one-time bonuses lifting salaries — not permanent raises
Wages remain one of the most vexing problems in Japan, where policymakers want to see higher salaries to spur more domestic consumption.
Wage talks begin in Japan as COVID-linked economic uncertainty continues
Japan's most powerful business lobby urged firms with favorable earnings to "bring wage hikes that are suitable for initiating a new type of capitalism" as advocated by the prime minister.
Rising costs and omicron could hurt Kishida's hopes for wage hikes
Companies will need to factor in a recovery in their earnings from the COVID-19 pandemic and the unknown impact of omicron when annual wage negotiations begin.
Kishida calls for raises of over 3% ahead of Japan's annual wage negotiations
"I want companies whose earnings have returned to levels before the novel coronavirus pandemic to realize a wage increase of over 3%," Kishida said.
Corporate Japan offers lowest pay rises in eight years
The annual wage talks serve as a barometer of corporate strength and household purchasing power.
Deflation fears fueled in Japan over slow wage growth in pandemic
With annual wage negotiations between management and labor unions getting into full swing in February and March, companies appear reluctant to raise pay after a difficult 2020.
Annual wage talks kick off in Japan as pandemic darkens outlook for pay hikes
Amid the economic hit from the pandemic, Japan's most powerful business lobby has stressed that aiming for pay hikes across the board is "unrealistic."
Jittery over COVID-19, Toyota and other Japan firms shun base pay hikes
Major companies were reluctant to offer base pay hikes during annual wage talks, with Toyota Motor forgoing its uniform monthly pay-scale increase for the first time since 2013.
Spread of COVID-19 casts shadow over Japan's shuntō wage talks
The widening outbreak of the new coronavirus originating in China has started to affect annual shuntō wage negotiations. Tougher wage talks are expected this year, with management increasingly cautious about agreeing to pay hikes amid growing concerns over corporate performance. The Japanese Trade Union Confederation, or ...
Japan's efforts to raise wages wane as firms embrace merit-based pay
More Japanese companies are shifting to merit-based pay as competition for workers heats up, but the change risks holding back the sort of blanket wage hikes the prime minister says are needed to inflate the economy. Ahead of annual labor talks set for March 11, ...
