Japanese workers’ average cash earnings rose faster than consumer prices in September, according to preliminary labour ministry figures. Real pay increased as both regular and special payments grew. The survey also recorded higher hourly scheduled pay for part-time workers. Its results cover establishments with at least five employees and can change when final estimates are released.
Japan’s September average cash earnings increased faster than prices, lifting workers’ purchasing power in preliminary labour ministry figures released on November 6. Average total cash earnings reached 311,409 yen, up 4.6 per cent from a year earlier. After price adjustment, earnings rose 2.2 per cent.[1], [2]
The survey covers establishments with at least five employees. Regular payments rose 3.6 per cent to 299,151 yen, while special payments increased 32.6 per cent to 12,258 yen. Part-time workers’ total cash earnings grew 4.2 per cent to 114,412 yen. Their scheduled hourly pay reached 1,463 yen, an increase of 5.4 per cent.[1]
The headline real-pay calculation uses consumer prices excluding imputed rent for owner-occupied housing; inflation on that basis was 2.4 per cent. Using the all-items price index instead gives real earnings growth of 2.3 per cent. The ministry received responses from 22,433 of 33,034 targeted establishments. Final figures can revise these provisional results.[1]
