Key Facts
• On September 4, 2025, all prefectures exceeded 1,000 yen minimum wage for the first time.
• The Central Minimum Wage Council set a national average increase target of 63 yen.
• 39 prefectures surpassed the target due to labor shortages and competition for workers.
• Prefectures are categorized into A, B, and C ranks based on economic strength.
• Tokyo’s minimum wage is the highest at 1,226 yen, while Kochi, Miyazaki, and Okinawa are the lowest at 1,023 yen.
• The wage gap between the highest and lowest prefectures narrowed from 212 yen to 203 yen.
• Kumamoto, a C-rank prefecture, saw the largest increase of 82 yen, 18 yen above the target.
• All 13 C-rank prefectures exceeded the target, while 8 prefectures, including Tokyo and Osaka, met the target exactly.
Summary
In 2025, Japan’s minimum wage surpassed 1,000 yen in all prefectures for the first time, driven by labor shortages and intensified competition for workers. The Central Minimum Wage Council set a national average increase of 63 yen, with 39 prefectures exceeding this target. Tokyo recorded the highest minimum wage at 1,226 yen, while Kochi, Miyazaki, and Okinawa had the lowest at 1,023 yen, reducing the wage gap to 203 yen. Kumamoto led the increases with an 82-yen rise, surpassing the target by 18 yen. This historic adjustment reflects efforts to address regional disparities and labor market challenges.
