Key Facts
• June 4, 2025: Japan Chamber of Commerce released wage increase survey results.
• Regular employees’ monthly wage increase rate: 4.03% (¥11,074), up 0.41 points from last year.
• Part-time and hourly workers’ wage increase rate: 4.21% (¥46.5), up 0.78 points.
• Wage increase rate for SMEs remains below large companies’ 5% range.
• Industry-specific wage increases: Information services (5.31%), finance/real estate (5.11%), healthcare (2.61%).
• Japan Chamber of Commerce highlights ongoing efforts amid labor shortages and inflation.
Summary
The Japan Chamber of Commerce reported on June 4, 2025, that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Japan achieved a wage increase rate exceeding 4% this year. Regular employees saw a 4.03% rise in monthly wages, equivalent to ¥11,074, while part-time and hourly workers experienced a 4.21% increase, or ¥46.5. Both figures marked notable improvements from the previous year. Despite falling short of the 5% wage increase rates seen in large companies, the Chamber emphasized the growing awareness and proactive efforts by SMEs to address labor shortages and inflation. Industry-specific data revealed significant disparities, with information services leading at 5.31%, followed by finance and real estate at 5.11%, and healthcare lagging at 2.61%.
