最低さいてい賃金ちんぎん あすから適用てきよう始はじまる 全ぜん都道とどう府県ふけんで時給じきゅう1000せん円えん超ちょうに

The minimum wage, which will exceed 1,000 yen per hour in all prefectures, will begin to be applied sequentially from October 1.

Due to the need to give companies sufficient time to prepare for the significant increase, there are cases where, for the first time since the current system was introduced, the application will extend into the new year.

The minimum wage is the lowest amount that companies are required to pay their workers.

With this years revision, the nationwide average minimum wage will be raised by 66 yen to 1,121 yen per hour, surpassing 1,000 yen in every prefecture for the first time. The new rates will be implemented sequentially starting from October 1.

The 66-yen increase is the largest since the current system was introduced in fiscal 2002.

After the increase, the highest hourly wage will be in Tokyo at 1,226 yen, while the lowest will be in Kochi, Miyazaki, and Okinawa prefectures at 1,023 yen.

This time, against the backdrop of rising prices, efforts to correct regional disparities, and concerns about the outflow of human resources, the increase was particularly large in Kyushu and Tohoku. The increase was ¥82 in Kumamoto Prefecture, followed by ¥81 in Oita Prefecture, ¥80 in Akita Prefecture, ¥79 in Iwate Prefecture, and ¥78 in Fukushima, Gunma, and Nagasaki Prefectures. In total, 18 prefectures saw an increase of ¥70 or more.

Usually, in most regions, the new minimum wage comes into effect in October, but this fiscal year, due to the significant increase and the need to give companies sufficient time to prepare, for the first time since the current system was introduced, some regions will see the change take place after the new year: in Fukushima, Tokushima, Kumamoto, and Oita prefectures, it will be applied in January next year; in Akita and Gunma prefectures, it will be applied in March next year.

【Q＆A】What is the minimum wage? Q

What is the minimum wage in the first place?

A

It is determined by the Minimum Wage Act and applies to all workplaces nationwide.

A minimum amount is set for each prefecture, and if the wages paid to workers fall below that amount, the employer or business owner may be fined up to 500,000 yen.

The minimum wage is indicated on an hourly basis, but in principle, it applies to everyone who works for an employer, regardless of their job title or employment type, including not only part-time and temporary workers but also full-time salaried employees and contract workers.

Q

Why were the increases especially large in Kyushu and Tohoku?

A

Kyushu and Tohoku currently have minimum wages lower than the national average, and due to factors such as rising prices, the need to correct regional disparities, and concerns over the outflow of human resources, there has been a significant increase.

First, the national council sets a guideline for the minimum wage, and then each prefecture decides the actual increase based on that.

Last year, 27 prefectures raised the minimum wage above this benchmark, but this year, that number has increased to 39 prefectures, with minimum wages being raised competitively.

Q

This year, there are cases where the new minimum wage will be applied into the next year. What impact will this have?

A

For workers, this means that they won’t be able to receive the increased amount for a certain period of time.

For example, in Akita Prefecture, which currently has the lowest minimum wage, it will be raised by 80 yen to 1,031 yen with this revision, but since it will be applied from March 31 next year, it will remain at 951 yen until then.

Usually, the new minimum wage is applied in most regions in October, but this time, it will start being applied in October in 20 prefectures, while in 27 prefectures—including 6 that will carry over into the new year—it will be applied from November or later.

Q

Isn’t raising the minimum wage a burden for companies?

A

Especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, it is a significant burden.

Postponing necessary capital investment or adjusting employment may result.

The government is also introducing support measures, but Professor Hisashi Yamada of Hosei University Graduate School of Business, who is well-versed in minimum wage issues, says, The government and prefectures should provide detailed support to improve the productivity of small and medium-sized enterprises.

It is very important to create an environment where it is easy to raise the overall level, he said.