
Business / Economy | FOCUS Mar 8, 2022
Pay gap for working women keeps wages down for everyone in Japan
by Yuko Takeo and Komaki Ito
Japan’s gender pay gap is the highest among the Group of Seven nations.
Pay gap for working women keeps wages down for everyone in Japan
Japan’s gender pay gap is the highest among the Group of Seven nations.
After decades of flat pay, some Japanese firms boost salaries to retain staff
More firms are opting for performance-based pay, experts say, a change that speaks to a wider shift slowly taking hold in Japan.
Spring wage negotiations highlight Japanese airlines’ pandemic struggles
Flat or declining wages are leading to a loss of experienced staffers and recruitment difficulties, but a change in airlines' financial situation looks far off.
Big Japanese electronics firms embrace skill-based personnel system over seniority model
The skill-based system contrasts with the Japanese corporate world's conventional employment style by assigning individuals to specific roles requiring specialized abilities.
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.
Why Japan's wages aren't rising
Initially triggered by financial crises in the 1990s, economists today point to other factors affecting stagnant wage growth.
Japan's household spending fell for fifth straight month in December
The weak figure raises some concerns for policymakers hoping a rebound in consumer demand will support the economy.
Tetsuji Ohashi, chairman of leading construction machinery-maker Komatsu, says that there are gaps between companies in their recoveries from the coronavirus crisis.
Trade union chief sees pay hikes as key to economic recovery
Rengo has decided on a policy of demanding a pay scale hike of about 2% and an overall pay increase of about 4%, including regular wage hikes.
Japan surveys foreign trainees' financial situations as more bolt from jobs
Thousands of technical trainees leave their host companies without notice every year seeking better wages, as many of them start their lives in Japan heavily in debt.
Bank of Japan debated chance of inflation pickup toward 2% as price hikes broaden
Many board members, however, stressed the need to maintain ultraloose monetary policy to support a fragile economy facing fresh risks.