Key Facts
• In 2023, Japan’s average minimum wage exceeded ¥1,000 per hour.
• A record increase of ¥63 raises the national average to ¥1,118 in 2025.
• Aichi’s minimum wage will rise from ¥1,077 to ¥1,140 per hour.
• A rice ball shop in Nagoya employs five part-time workers at the current minimum wage.
• The shop uses 150 kg of rice monthly, facing financial strain due to rising rice costs.
• Employees welcome the wage increase, but the shop struggles to manage expenses.
• The shop reduces costs by repurposing leftover ingredients from affiliated restaurants.
• Staff report efforts to minimize food waste and manage tight budgets effectively.
Summary
Aichi Prefecture’s minimum wage will increase to ¥1,140 per hour in 2025, following a record national hike of ¥63. While part-time workers welcome the raise, businesses like a rice ball shop in Nagoya face financial challenges. The shop, which uses 150 kg of rice monthly, is already burdened by rising rice prices. Staff members report operating on tight budgets, repurposing leftover ingredients, and minimizing waste to manage costs. Despite these efforts, the wage increase adds significant pressure to the shop’s finances.
