Key Facts
• August 14, 2025: Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa visits Fukuoka Prefecture.
• Discussed minimum wage increase with Governor Seitaro Hattori at Fukuoka Prefectural Office.
• Current national average minimum wage target: 1,118 yen/hour; Fukuoka: 992 yen/hour.
• Government aims to raise minimum wage to 1,500 yen/hour in the 2020s.
• Akazawa proposed special grants for areas implementing wage increases.
• Governor Hattori emphasized the need for robust national support for small businesses.
Summary
On August 14, 2025, Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa visited the Fukuoka Prefectural Office to discuss raising the minimum wage with Governor Seitaro Hattori. The national average minimum wage target for 2025 is set at 1,118 yen per hour, while Fukuoka’s current rate remains at 992 yen. Akazawa urged cooperation on wage increases, proposing special grants for regions that implement the changes. The government aims to achieve a 1,500 yen hourly minimum wage by the 2020s. Governor Hattori acknowledged the importance of wage hikes but stressed the urgency of enhanced national support for small and medium-sized enterprises to mitigate potential challenges.
