Real wages in Japan are rising.

VTV.vn - According to data released by the Japanese government on March 9, real wages in Japan officially increased again in January this year, after 13 consecutive months of decline.

Real wages in Japan are rising.

This positive development, combined with the fastest increase in basic wages in more than three decades, is creating a solid foundation for the Bank of Japan (BoJ) to continue tightening monetary policy.

Specifically, real wages—a key measure of consumer purchasing power—rose 1.4% year-on-year, marking a strong recovery after a 0.1% decline in December 2025. Total cash earnings (nominal wages) also increased 3.0% to an average of 301,314 yen (approximately $1,911). This was the fastest growth rate in the past six months.

Notably, base wages increased by 3.0%, the strongest rise since October 1992. In addition, overtime pay rose by 3.3%, reaching its highest level in approximately three years. This income growth has outpaced inflation (currently at 1.7% – the lowest since March 2022 thanks to fuel subsidies and more stable food prices).

This optimistic data was released just ahead of the Bank of Japan's policy meeting on March 18-19. The Bank of Japan said it would focus on assessing whether the wage increase would spread to improve household purchasing power before deciding whether to raise interest rates. Previously, in December 2025, the Bank of Japan raised interest rates to 0.75%.

Meanwhile, the Japan General Confederation of Labor (Rengo) also sent a positive signal, stating that its member unions are working to negotiate an average wage increase of 5.94% for this year. This figure is higher than the 5.25% increase projected for 2025, indicating strong upward momentum in wages.

Source: https://vtv.vn/luong-thuc-te-tai-nhat-ban-tang-100260309223125421.htm